1999 Chevy Cavalier warning lights/gauges

Tiny
BCVAIL
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Electrical problem
1999 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Manual 134000 miles

Hi I have a 99 cavalier. The dash warning lights are coming on all together intermittantly. Brake/coolant/battery/oil/theft/abs/seatbelt/etc about everything except the check engine and shift indicator. The temperature gauge is not working as well when all these lights are on. We noticed when the turn signal was used it affected this and thought it was a possible short. We replaced the turn signal but no luck. I noticed then seems like any electrical load makes them go off and on i.E. Signal, brake, wipers. I also had taken to the carwash once water got under the hood or possibly in back of dash? The lights really went haywire coming off and on and would set off a door dinger while driving. Its making a kind of electrical noise towards the center back of dash when the dinger goes off. Also, when it was wet and lights were going off and on when hitting brake repeatedly the car wanted to die. (Possible alternator?) Once the water dried they pretty much came on and stayed on most of the time. When these lights go off however the temperature gauge works and the brake warning light stays on but thats it. Also the radiator fan is not kicking on, the fan works but is again in the electrical system and seems to be related to the other problems. Im guessing it wont turn on because the gauge is not working. It has been connected to an OBD2 scanner once. I didnt get a good look at the codes(there were 2 at the time) one was a heater circuit. This car runs great otherwise or at least til it catches fire from this and burns to the ground.

I just bought this car(like an idiot) and a friend is helping work on it after he gets off work. He checked all fuses of course with tester all good and is now starting to trace the wiring clean/check all connections. The longer it takes him the more money I owe him! If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it very much! Thank you
Friday, February 19th, 2010 AT 12:25 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Definitly sounds like a bad connection and or water damage. Look for any indiation of water in or around the fuse block or underhood power center. Also check all the grounds, when aground is bad it can cause the system to "feedback" looking for ground.
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 AT 4:09 PM

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