Electronics Malfunction

[tommy]

Hi, this is my first post and I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this problem. It's happened to me twice in the past week. I start the car, the idiot lights on the dash come on as normal but they stay on and there is no power to the gauges nor to the airconditioner. The first time it happened, I turned the car off and restarted it and it was fine. The second time it happened, yesterday, I tried the off on thing a few times and it continued to be a problem. I had to drive as I was 60 miles from anywhere. After a few miles, the power came back, the idiot lights went off, but the "service engine soon" light stayed on. I'm taking it to the dealer in the morning but was hoping that someone might know what's going on so as to save me time at the dealer while they troubleshoot. Thanks in advance for any input.

[NSANY]

Did you have any work done which revolved around the center console? (Stereo replacement, etc?)

If so, the unit that controls the logic for the HVAC and multi-function display is in the center console. There's a teeny ribbon connector that can come unseated (or worse, can be bent or broken).

- Chris

[tommy]

Thanks Chris, I didn't, but that will be one place I suggest they look.

[tommy]

Dealer service wasn't much help as expected. They told me that I'd have to bring it back while the malfunction was occurring.

[Dr Bonz]

Did they put it on the computer to see about the error code you had?

Chris knows exactly what you are referring to since he researched this extensively for me. I had installed my computer and was repeatedly pulling out the plug on that flimsy white ribbon cable (it's right behind the three climate control knobs and attaches them to the white plastic box that is the brains for a LOT of things). He can tell you more about this if you need it. I'm only a lowly orthopedic surgeon :(

Anyway, after about 24 ours, everything magically fixed itself. My CES light stayed on for about four more days (no problems in the car at all) and then went off by itself.

[tommy]

Dr Bonz, thanks for the input. I've installed nothing but have just printed yours and Chris's replies and the next time this happens I'm going to have them check the plug connection. Seems that you are qualified to talk about how things connect. Anyway, I'm a CFO and only qualified to trouble shoot financial issues, not technical ones. :confused: