problem with running lights

[fastpathy35]

i put in led lights for the gauge cluster yesterday, and when i was done i realized my running lights gauge lights tail lights and license plate lights werent working with the switch on "auto". the headlights and fog lights work fine in that mode, and all the the lights function properly when turned to "on". what could be the problem?

[KyooX4]

I don't think any lights are supposed to come on in the auto position except the headlights and what comes with them. At least I've never had any other lights come on.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

When you turn the headlamp switch to 'AUTO' all of the lights which normally come on when you turn the switch to ON should come on when it's dark out and the headlamps turn on. So what lights aren't working exactly? I read your original post several times and my brain isn't working today for some reason.

[fastpathy35]

ok the front side markers the tail lights the license plate lights and the inside lights, gauge cluster, climate control, clock doesnt dim...its like the lights never turned on in any way other than the fog lights and headlights work. and in the auto mode, everything used to normally come on. but if i have them manually on everything works as it should. its very strange. nissan wants me to drop it off and let them take a look of course but im not paying them.

[Densetsu]

Whenever the tail lights don't work, I'd suspect, in order: fuse, relay, switch. Since in your case the tail lights work in the ON position, I'd only suspect the switch.

However, the FSM troubleshooting guide says this symptom (headlights work in ON and AUTO; taillights only work in ON, not AUTO) can ONLY be caused by a faulty auto light sensor. Which really makes no sense to me, because the headlights work in AUTO and there's only one circuit for the light sensor signal. But that's what the service manual says, and I suspect the Nissan engineers know more about it than I do.

There is a series of tests you can do to see if the light sensor is working properly, if you can get your hands on the FSM. I believe there's a link floating around this forum somewhere.

[fastpathy35]

Whenever the tail lights don't work, I'd suspect, in order: fuse, relay, switch. Since in your case the tail lights work in the ON position, I'd only suspect the switch.

However, the FSM troubleshooting guide says this symptom (headlights always work, taillights only work in ON, not AUTO) can ONLY be caused by a faulty auto light sensor. Which really makes no sense to me, because the headlights work. But that's what the service manual says, and I suspect the Nissan engineers know more about it than I do.

There is a series of tests you can do to see if the light sensor is working properly, if you can get your hands on the FSM. I believe there's a link floating around this forum somewhere.

im pretty sure it works. i took my debit card and sat over it and the lights turn on, i remove it and the lights turn off...its just the other lights that dont work. i have absolutely no blown fuses...ive pulled everything. and ive moved around the relays to see if any were bad. so their either all bad or all good. but everything else works as far as relays go so my assumption is theyre all good.

[Densetsu]

Here we go: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pa...l.pdf

Page EL-46

[fastpathy35]

oh wow...thats a lot of information..lol

[fastpathy35]

okay i still havent figured out what the problem is but this might narrow it down a little. before whatever happened if i had the lights on manually the running lights and all would work with the ignition switch off...now they dont.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Nope, that doesn't really narrow it down. All I can suggest is to pull out your gauge cluster again and double check all of the connections. I am not sure how any wire in the gauge cluster could affect all of your lights like this, but you never know. One tip though, don't turn your vehicle to ON or start the vehicle with the gauge cluster out, this will throw the SES light and you'll have to reset the ECU.