Gremlin in electronics - lights acting on their own
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Gremlin in electronics - lights acting on their own
2004 G35X - 234k miles
Recently, I looked outide at night and noticed my headlights were on even though they were off earlier in the evening. I was using the auto on/off feature so I turned off the headlamps and that seemed to solve that problem without fixing it. I just would have to turn on my headlamps when it got dark and turn them off when leaving the car.
Yesterday I want to start the car and the battery was totally dead. Started charging it and checked an hour later and noticed that the tail lights were on. I also happened to have my utility trailer hooked up and it's lights were on as well. I unplugged the trailer and the tail lights went out along with the trailer lights...
A few hours later I checked again and this time the tail lights were turning off and on, with no certain pattern so it's not like the emergency flashers are on or anything. This morning, the lights are all off.. or at least were when I checked.
There is obviously something wrong but I don't have the slightest idea where to even look for it. In the 60+ years I've owned cars, I've never run across this kind of issue. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Recently, I looked outide at night and noticed my headlights were on even though they were off earlier in the evening. I was using the auto on/off feature so I turned off the headlamps and that seemed to solve that problem without fixing it. I just would have to turn on my headlamps when it got dark and turn them off when leaving the car.
Yesterday I want to start the car and the battery was totally dead. Started charging it and checked an hour later and noticed that the tail lights were on. I also happened to have my utility trailer hooked up and it's lights were on as well. I unplugged the trailer and the tail lights went out along with the trailer lights...
A few hours later I checked again and this time the tail lights were turning off and on, with no certain pattern so it's not like the emergency flashers are on or anything. This morning, the lights are all off.. or at least were when I checked.
There is obviously something wrong but I don't have the slightest idea where to even look for it. In the 60+ years I've owned cars, I've never run across this kind of issue. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 649
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These cars have many processors scattered around which can cause weird problems. Often the culprit is water intrusion so you need to check around for that.
I believe the BCM (brains for many of the car's functions) on your '04 is located under the fuse box to the left of the driver's left leg? That unit definitely does not want to get wet so check the floor there to be sure there is no water getting in.
The other main device is the IPDM which is located in the engine compartment (inconveniently) on the firewall behind the battery. That should have a cover on it attempting to keep it dry, but if the seal at the bottom of the windshield is wearing out that area is susceptible to leaks.
Hopefully this is NOT your problem but if either of these "black boxes" has gotten wet you'll want to try to dry them out and remove any corrosion you see. And figure out how the water is getting in.
Others in here may have better ideas so standby.
I believe the BCM (brains for many of the car's functions) on your '04 is located under the fuse box to the left of the driver's left leg? That unit definitely does not want to get wet so check the floor there to be sure there is no water getting in.
The other main device is the IPDM which is located in the engine compartment (inconveniently) on the firewall behind the battery. That should have a cover on it attempting to keep it dry, but if the seal at the bottom of the windshield is wearing out that area is susceptible to leaks.
Hopefully this is NOT your problem but if either of these "black boxes" has gotten wet you'll want to try to dry them out and remove any corrosion you see. And figure out how the water is getting in.
Others in here may have better ideas so standby.
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