2002 I35 ignition & instrument panel lighting issue - help?

[nyclad]

Hi guys,

Yes, I did search for these issues, but nothing seems similar.

For two weeks now, my GF's 2002 I35 (which means I have to fix... ) has been taking anywhere from 1 (starts right away) to 8-10 turns of the key to start the car. When it doesn't start, there is no craking of the starter, just a click, and nothing else. I was thinking this might not be a starter issue as the starter never cranks, but the click does seem to be coming from the engine area.

There is another issue that started around the same time, unknown if related. The front instrument panel (speedo, RPM, fuel) backlighting doesn't work. When I turn the dimmer, it does adjust the lighting on the center console (radio/climate controls) but the front instrument panel stays dark. At night, (with headlights lights on) it's impossible to tell what your speed is since the instrument panel is still dark. Does anybody know if this is related to the ignition issue? Any fixes for either of these? I notice there is no bulb number on the FAQ for the bulb specs.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[nyclad]

Almost forgot, I have a OBD2 code reader and hooked it up. There is no CEL, no active codes nor pending codes at all.

[Fezzik]

It does sound like starter on the first issue, 2nd issue sounds like the bulb in the cluster went out. It's take the cluster out and replace the bulb or get a new cluster.

[nyclad]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to separate these issues.

I did take a video of when it wouldn't start the first time. I apologize for the faint audio. There is a clicking noise when you turn the key to position 4, then a slight buzz as long as you hold the key in postion 4, and a second clicking noise as you release it from position 4. When it doesn't start, you don't hear anything from the engine, no starter trying to crank over, nil.

In this video, the engine does start on the 3rd crank to position 4.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0IqyaZ1 ... detailpage[/youtube]

Sometimes it takes anywhere from 1 to start to 8-10 cranks.


I did tackle the instrument cluster backlighting, and found what seems to be a burnt out lighting tube (flourescent?) inside the cluster. I'll detail that in a separate thread.

[Fezzik]

Could be the starter going bad. Try hooking up a battery charger to the car and see if it does the same thing. May rule out battery.