2000 Cavalier intermittent light problem

[maria032]

I have 2000 Cavalier. While driving, all the lights go out and stay out for awhile then come back on, usually after hitting a small bump in the road. When this first started, it would always start, now when it does this, the car won't start. It will crank but it will not start. Also when I put the car in reverse, the lights all go out. Sometimes just before it happens, when driving, the turn signals stick and then start flashing, then all the lights go out. Eveything, head lights, running lights, turn signals, all the lights on the dash board, radio, dome lights, horn, they all go out. Three mechanics have looked at this and no one can solve this problem. They have checked and cleaned wires in the dash and the wires that connect to the computer. Also, replaced the ignition switch and the instrument cluster. Because it is intermittent, they say it is hard to tell if it is fixed until I drive it awhile. It does this several times a day, every day. It cannot be driven at night. This has been going on for 2 1/2 months. Thank you.

[muff34]

Welcome to AF
So when the lights go out and they come back on ,has the car quit and will not start or have you shut it off yourself and tried to restart it? Did you take it to a dealership or just a "garage" ? I would like to say the multi function switch is going bad but you have other issues as well. possibly a bad ground somewhere they are unaware of ????? Do they use a lot of road salt in witner where you live? I would also look closely at fuse box under hood and inside car for any signs of melting or corrosion.

[maria032]

The car does not shut off while running, only the lights go off for awhile then eventually come back on. It does not start after it is already shut off. An example would be, I turn it off for about 15 minutes then go back and it will not start. Another time it sat all night and I went out and it wouldn't start. There is no pattern. I usually only have to wait a little while when it doesn't start and it eventually it will start. It always seems to crank just fine. Sometimes when I put it in reverse everything starts flashing on the dash then all the lights go out and also when I hit a bump in the road it acts the same way. I took it to two garages and one mechanic who specializes in electrical. I called the dealership and explained everything and they told me that unless it does it all the time they probably would not be able to find the problem either and that intermittent problems are hard to diagnose. I travel the Interstate highway everyday and work in the snowbelt, so yes, it is exposed to a lot of salt and brine on the highway. It takes me an hour to get to work and this happens, lights go off lights come back on, at least four times each way. Thank you, I appreciate your help.

[muff34]

Have you taken it in and had it checked for any fault codes? If not autozone does it for free. You never noticed any service light come on by itself at any one time have you? Sounds to me like bad connection somewhere likely corroded. Have a good look at your battery cables. Take the battery out of car ,under the battery tray there is a ground connection ,check it . I have read where battery cables themselves go bad.

[maria032]

I am going to take it back to the electrical specialist on Monday. He has worked on it for the past two weeks. I will tell him everything you have suggested. He told me yesterday that he is at a loss, but will keep looking if I want him to. Hopefully, I will have a few suggestions that he hasn't checked yet. I will take it to Autozone today and have it checked for any fault codes. There is one light that stays on, the wrench. This is what happens: I will be driving and all of a sudden the radio and all the lights on the dash, the headlights, etc. will loose connection and go off. All the needles go to 0. They might stay off for only 5 seconds or until you restart the car, there is no real time frame. Then, while I am driving and the lights come back on, it is like you just started the car even though the engine did not turn off. The radio comes back on and all the gauges come on and the needles go back to where they belong and the seat belt light beeps. Sometimes, not always, the wrench light stays on until I restart the car. Thank you.

[muff34]

ya you have a code for something happening . Electrical specialist ?? hope Specialist doesn`t entitle him to big bucks then or at least is giving you a good deal . good luck and let us know how things turn out. did you get the private message?

[maria032]

I took it to Autozone and this is what the printout says: These codes indicate a malfunction in certain systems or components. Proper diagnosis should be performed by a mechanic or through proper diagnostics outlined in the service manual for your vehicle. Then he gave me two numbers for mechanics who work on electrical problems. I will try your suggestion in the private message and let you know. As for the specialist, expensive and no great deals. He has had it on four occasions in the past 2 1/2 weeks. I went through the same thing with the other two mechanics, they were reasonable and tried but didn't fix the problem either. I don't know what else to do. I am hoping that, by the process of elimination, the problem will be fixed eventually. Thank you for your suggestions. I appreciate your help.

[muff34]

Just don`t let them start changing parts and shooting in the dark on your dime. hitting the bump or putting car in reverse is jarring the bad connection in my opinion. Likely going to be something simple

[maria032]

The car has been starting so I haven't had a chance to try what you suggested. I have decided to take the car to a different mechanic. I will let you know how it works out. I was told that he enjoys an electrical challenge. Thank you for all your great suggestions.