New owner with a small dash light problem.

[IonicRipper]

I just bought this 1999 Nissan Sentra GXE as a winter beater.The problem that annoys me the most is the interior lights...

Somehow when the headlights are turned off, the interior lighting (guages, instruments etc) are on, but when i turn the headlights on, the dahs lights turn off. Just like if some wires got crossed somewhere.

Any suggestions on how to fix this?

[TOMMY VERCETTI]

To Nicoclub!
Do you have a dimmer switch next to your light switch? That maybe your problem as it may be turned all the way down or turned off.
I hope that I helped you.

[IonicRipper]

That was the first thing i checked. I even took it out to take a look inside to make sure it wasnt fried for some reason but it was fine.

Ohh and i also checked all the fuses and they where all good.

Are the instrument lights suppose to be on when the headlights are turned off?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I want to say no, but I'm not sure. Do the dash lights go out even when you turn on just the parking lights?

[EZcheese15]

I want to say no, but I'm not sure. Do the dash lights go out even when you turn on just the parking lights?

Dash lights should work with just parking lights on. That's the way pretty much all cars work.

Give us some more details about what lights up in what position. With parking lights on, do the dash lights come on? What about with headlights on? With bright's on? Left or Right turn signal? Etc.

Also play with the dimmer switch. Is it working correctly?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^ well yeah, but he's saying they are on when NOTHING else is on, and typically, when you turn just the parking lights on, it should kick on your dash lights, as well as activate any dimmer switches you have.

[IonicRipper]

When i start the car (or just put the key to on without starting it) the dashboard and the console lights up.
When i turn the parking lights or headlights on, all the interior lighting turns off.
The turn signals, cruise control indicator, safety belt warning etc, all those work fine whether the lights are on or off.

Basically when i turn the car on, the interior lights up and when i turn the light switch to parking or headlights the interior lights turn off, its like inverted somehow? And the dimmer doesnt do anything.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I can honestly say I've never heard of that before... maybe there is a relay that controls all of that that has gone bad? Was it like that when you bought it?

[IonicRipper]

Yup, one of the reasons why it wasnt expensive.
Any idea where the relay could be?
I remember on my 91 Chevrolet Caprice it was on the steering column, under the dash.

[EZcheese15]

Go here: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Sentra/1999 ... _GA/el.pdf

Page 42 is the combination switch that controls the headlight switch. Check the continuity between each pin of plug E11 as indicated in the chart. If it doesn't match up, you need a switch.

[IonicRipper]

Im gonna have to find someone who has a voltmeter i can borrow...

In the meantime, lets just say the switch works fine, what else could the problem be?

[EZcheese15]

Im gonna have to find someone who has a voltmeter i can borrow...

In the meantime, lets just say the switch works fine, what else could the problem be?

There's really not a whole lot of other things it could be. I suppose it could be the wiring shorting out somewhere. I would be almost willing to put money on it that it's the switch, but I would still check it first before you drop money on a new one, just in case it is the wiring or something else.

[IonicRipper]

Ok thanks, EZcheese, i'll check the switch like you said.

[IonicRipper]

Finally got around to test the switch and it seems to be the problem.
Now i would like to know if its possible to order this part somewhere in Canada or do i absolutely have to look in scrap yards?

[EZcheese15]

Finally got around to test the switch and it seems to be the problem.
Now i would like to know if its possible to order this part somewhere in Canada or do i absolutely have to look in scrap yards?

Go with one of the sponsors on this site. www.everythingnissan.com for instance. They are in the U.S. but will sell to Canada. It just might cost a couple extra $ in shipping, but I'm sure the savings will more than offset getting it locally.

A scrap yard will always be the cheapest though if you want to go that route.