Re: Headlights go on and some lights go out?

["Jeremy J. Walters" <jjwjr@ix.netcom.com>]

Leah and David Mueller wrote:
> 
> Thank you for the suggestion. I will go out to check that and let you know.
> This is as I said a recent purchase so the previous owner may have done what
> you have said.  Hopefully it is that simple...........
> 
> You were right!!! I realize now that we just got the car back from the
> detailers and they probably turned while cleaning.  Thank you for your help.
> May all our problems be that simple.
> 
> At 07:33 AM 8/17/97 -0400, you wrote:
> >Leah and David Mueller wrote:
> >>
> >> My wife's recently purchase 86CDq loses its clock and climate control lights
> >> when she turns on her headlights.  My 86CDt loses the clock light only when
> >> I turn on my lights. Is this a switch problem or the old broken wire
> >> somewhere trick? Thanks for your continued experience and help.
> >> >> David and Leah
> 
David-

I think your problem lies in the dash light controller, located above
the glove box.  This is an electronic device which acts as a rheostat,
to control the intensity of the various dash lights.  It is controlled
by the thumb wheel next to the clock.  The reason your clock light goes
out is that it is getting the signal to dim the display, but at the same
time, the backlight should light, and it's not.  

To repair, remove the contoller, in a relay panel above the
glovebox(looks like a double-wide relay), and remove cover with 2 small
screwdrivers.  Re-solder the ribbon cable which joins the 2 PC boards
inside.  Mine had a bad solder joint.  It appears this area may get hot
during operation.

I hope this works-it was the first thing I repaired on my car after
purchasing it a year ago, and haven't had trouble since!

Good luck!

Jeremy Walters
San Ramon, CA