Headlights dash lights and radio not working

SHEA9180

MEMBER
1998 DODGE NEON
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
151,000 MILES

Okay, so first my headlights went out then my dash lights and now my radio, but it was just working. When my lights first went out I could jiggle the wires and the lights would pop on but now it does not work. My battery is brand new so I know it is not that and my switch still works my dome light so I do not think it is that either. My husband looked at it and the pigtail to the alternator looks loose or broke could that be causing my problem?

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,002 POSTS

Loose power connection could easily cause it. I would clean and tighten the connections then see if anything comes back on. The worrisome part is that if the alternator was getting an intermittent connection it could have damaged it.
It may have damaged the radio as well. Dome lights are a different part of the switch than the head and marker lights so it is possible it is the switch, however the radio is not powered from that switch.