My car's interior lights/tail lights aren't coming on!

[stuman19]

Its a 1996 Olds Aurora

I have a remote starter put into it and when I remotely start it then both lights will illuminate, but when I press the brake to engage the transmission they go off immediately. The lights come on occasionally but then go off telling me that it would be hard for it to be a fuse. I thought that maybe it was my sensor that automatically turns on the lights at night, but even when I manually turn them on they do not come on. I do believe all I am getting at night is the daytime running lights, but I am uncertain.

Is this something rather simple or quite elaborate? Could it be the remote start that is doing it? Can't be a fuse right? I know this car is hard to fix and taking it somewhere will be a heavy financial burden, but how much do you think it would cost to have it done so I don't get raped?

I know its a domestic and its not foreign blah blah blah. I know how you guys feel about that. I really enjoy the car.

Thanks for reading,
Stu

 

[imported_LoKe]

I can't remember exactly what it's called, but there's this little black box under one of your headlights. A friend of mine brought his car into the shop with a similar problem, and he ended up having to pay 105$ Canadian to buy a new box.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, that's all I can remember at this point.

Also, it may just be a short or a dying battery?

 

[stuman19]

Hmm, I will check into that box. I appreciate your input. Thanks.

 

[imported_LoKe]

It was under his left headlight and accessible from underneath his car. You should be able to get to it with a creeper then you'll have to unscrew a couple screws.

However, this was a taurus so it'll probably be completely different.

 

[stuman19]

Completely different indeed. Anyone else with an idea? Gonna go look for this box that LoKe speaks of.

 

[qbackin]

Sounds like a fuse

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: qbackin
Sounds like a fuse

Would a fuse work sometimes but not other times though? I thought that fuses were either working or not period.

 

[lokiju]

Remote start installs can fvck up your electrical system, I know first hand, after my alarm with remote start was installed my rear door no longer unlocks like it should, I have to use my key know to physically unlock and lock it, I've taken in to have it fixed and was told that its an wiring issue and it would take many many hours just to track down where the issue is.

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: qbackin
Sounds like a fuse

Agreed, sounds like a fuse...

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: qbackin
Sounds like a fuse

 

[Nebor]

Sounds like someone slipped you an american car when you weren't looking.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: LoKe
It was under his left headlight and accessible from underneath his car. You should be able to get to it with a creeper then you'll have to unscrew a couple screws.

However, this was a taurus so it'll probably be completely different.

great that you drop this bomb right now moron.

 

[imported_LoKe]

...Sorry for trying to help. Jesus.

EDIT : And it was three minutes after my post, you're acting as if I had him sent to a mechanic or something. Calm down.

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: LoKe
...Sorry for trying to help. Jesus.

EDIT : And it was three minutes after my post, you're acting as if I had him sent to a mechanic or something. Calm down.

Agreed, I appreciate his efforts.....chill pepsi deliverer.

 

[stuman19]

Anyone else with a good comment on what the heck this is? I can't imagine it being a fuse, but I am no mechanic. Also, I am out of my home state here on an internship, so I don't know any local loyal mechanics in the area that will not rape me. I want to get this fixed so I can drive at night and not fear the cherries.

 

[stuman19]

Bump

 

[Colt45]

The cowboy that wired up the remote start fvcked up, i assume

 

[jds2006]

Maybe you ran out of gas.

 

[gar3555]

a blown fuse perhaps...check every fuse in the box...my cigarette lighter/dome lights/taillights were all on the same fuse...strange isn't it

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Sounds like someone slipped you an american car when you weren't looking.

- M4H

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: Colt45
The cowboy that wired up the remote start fvcked up, i assume

The remote start has worked fine for like a year with no other hiccups.

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: gar3555
a blown fuse perhaps...check every fuse in the box...my cigarette lighter/dome lights/taillights were all on the same fuse...strange isn't it

If it is a fuse would it still work occasionally?

 

[Dabappa]

Definitely check the fuses first.

It will only take two minutes or so to check, and replacements would cost a few bucks. The fuse panel is usually located behind a cover on the driver?s side of the dash, look in your owner?s manual if you can?t find it. The owner?s manual should also show what a blown fuse looks like, if you don?t already know.

It is very possible that the lights will work when powered by the remote starter circuit and not the normal lighting circuit. The remote starter obviously bypasses the light switch, so it could also be bypassing the fuse.

Check the fuses and report back.

 

[Toastedlightly]

IIRC, the taillights and dashlights are on the same fuse (for safety). Check fuses/wiring.

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: Dabappa
Definitely check the fuses first.

It will only take two minutes or so to check, and replacements would cost a few bucks. The fuse panel is usually located behind a cover on the driver?s side of the dash, look in your owner?s manual if you can?t find it. The owner?s manual should also show what a blown fuse looks like, if you don?t already know.

It is very possible that the lights will work when powered by the remote starter circuit and not the normal lighting circuit. The remote starter obviously bypasses the light switch, so it could also be bypassing the fuse.

Check the fuses and report back.

Will check fuses tomorrow, will post back with success/failure.