Dash Warning Lights Going Crazy

[markqc]

Hi All,

Having an intermittent problem with the dash warning lights on a 2000 Malibu. Most times when the vehicle is started, all the dash warning lights come on momentarily and go out after the engine starts (takes a couple of seconds) This appears normal and correct. Once in a while when the vehicle is started all the lights come on and stay on and the chime alarm sounds after about 5 seconds (Same chime when you open the door with the key in the ignition. If the car is turned off and restarted after about 15 seconds, the car will start with all the lights on, and then all the lights go out except for the "theft system light" and "service engine soon" sign. Sometimnes the car is hard to start, meaning it cranks over several times before catching. Occasionally the speedometer, fuel gage and temp gage do not work (only temproarily).

Sorry for the long post, but has anyone else experience this type of condition.

Thanks,
Mark

[slls]

I would suspect the ignition switch, the electrical one, not the key switch.

[wymi]

I had the same problem and it was a bad battery positive terminal. I replaced the battery and the lug that holds the cable to the battery and all is well. The battery looked like it leaked acid out of the positive side terminal. I agree that it also could be the electrical ignition switch. I had a 2000 Malibu rental once and after starting the car nothing on the gauge cluster worked. I got mad and slapped the dash, when I did that everything turned on

[adrenalin2k4]

I love Chevrolet/GM automobiles. But, they do seem to have the same random problem like you are having. I have had 3 different Chevrolets that had the same problem as your is having.

The best thing to do is do a process of elimination.

1. Check out the battery ad the connection coming from it.

2. Check the alternator and make sure that the wires coming from it are seated properly and are secure.

3. Check all the wires going to and coming from the starter. Making sure none of them are loose.

4. Check the underhood fuse and relay center. Push down on all of the fuses and relays making sure they are snapped into place and are not loose. You may even want to check each fuse and make sure none of them are shorted. You can do this with the car on and with some help from a friend or a loved one. You can try to wiggle each fuse and or relay and see if the instrument panel starts acting wierd. Also check for water leaks going to the fuse and relay center too.

5. Check the fuse box inside the car doing exactly what i have mentioned in #4.

6. People may not realize it but the turn signal switch has a lot of wires going to it and some wires have a current running through the switch that also runs other thing in the vehicle. Check for loose wires go to the switch. You can do this by wiggling the wire harness that attaches to the actual switch itself.

7. Check out the key switch itself. It is a vital componant of the vehicle and there is an aweful lot of wires that go to it to control most of your car. You can also wiggle the individual wires going to that and see if you get the problem you are speaking of. You can do this by having the switch in the accessory position and the try it with the car running.

8. You can also check any and all of the wiring harnesses under the dash. You can do this with the car running or the key set to the accessory position both.

It is definately an electrical issue and it is a wire not making a good enough or intermittant contact. With the 3 vehicles that i spoke of earlier. It was the key switch and it was a loose wire not making a good contact. It is not that tough of a job to check out the switch at all. You just have to remove the molded plastic cover that goes around you steering column. You will see the switch and it has a little grey plastic cover that goes over where all the wire connect to the switch itself. With the car running you can wiggle each and every wire and see which wire is the culprit. When and if you find the loose wire? You can fix it yourself. Just unhook the positive wire from your battery and use a small thin nosed pair of needle nosed pliers to crimp the connector on the end of the loose wire. Then you should be good to go.

I have done this on a '96 Chevrolet Blazer, a '99 Chevrolet Malibu, and an '01 Chevrolet Impala. All three had the same problem as you and with all three of them, it was the key switch. It didn't cost me a penny to fix. Just a little bit of my time. But, by going through all of my processes of elimination, you may not even need to check the switch itself.

Good luck and i hope that i have helped you out in any way.

adrenalin

[markqc]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll give your suggestions a closer look.

Mark

[markqc]

Went to remove the battery cables to clean the terminals and the terminal broke off of the battery.(Original battery so it was due to be replaced soon) I'm sure I read on this site that this is fairly common on GM equipped batteries. With a new battery installed, the problem still exists so I will get back to the list and continue checking the suggestions.

Thanks again.

[igkyoa]

it sounds like your harness for your dashboard is loose... i had a simmilar problem with my speedometer not working right and i just unplugged it for a sec and it fixed the problem...