88FIJIQUEST Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 Hey all, It's been a while since I've been on the forums (engineering degree takes a lot out of me) but I'm looking for some of that famous insight you all seem to have. Recently my headlights died, I figured it was just the bulbs going out since one went out then the other (high beams and everything else still worked). Until the other day when I put the lights on the dash lights flickered and then everything died.. So now the only lights that work are blinkers, and brake lights. I checked fuses and fusible links and they all seem fine. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what to look into next? It's my DD and I've been trying to research this but it seems like asking on here might work out better since one of you all knowing folk might have the answer right away. Any help/advice is appreciated as usual. Thanks, Evan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88-cnqst-tsi Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 for the dash lights, a common cause of them dieing is when you put in a aftermarket radio the dimmer switch blows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyWadd Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 The head light thing is fairly common , for me three times it was bad grounds. It cause the headlight relay to not work and the lights shut off.Some good pics in here...http://starquest.i-x.net/viewtopic.php?t=916 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88FIJIQUEST Posted November 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 thanks guys, i'll have to recheck my grounds. the car came with an aftermarket radio when I got it. where is the dimmer switch? Also, to add to this: the headlights also no longer pop up as well.. if that info helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88-cnqst-tsi Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 thanks guys, i'll have to recheck my grounds. the car came with an aftermarket radio when I got it. where is the dimmer switch? Also, to add to this: the headlights also no longer pop up as well.. if that info helps.the dimmer is to the left of the steering wheel on the dash and its a dial next to the de-fog button and to remove it you have to take out the cluster and some other stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88FIJIQUEST Posted November 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 but just to be clear, it's not just the dash lights but none of my driving lights/headlights/high beams/pop ups are working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyWadd Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 but just to be clear, it's not just the dash lights but none of my driving lights/headlights/high beams/pop ups are working Ya so not the dimmer .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbrad511 Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 The fusible links "seem" fine. Look ok or not that's where I'd start. They can look ok but be separated internally. The block where their harness plugs into the main harness also can overheat and melt.My 88 did this some years ago one night. If I remember right, the tails worked though. Had a bad link. If those all check out ok I'd look at the headlight switch itself. It can be taken apart and cleaned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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