Weird dash light problems *SOLVED*

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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Yagyu
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Year and Trim: 1997 SSEi

Weird dash light problems *SOLVED*

Post by Yagyu »

For some reason my dash lights are behaving weirdly. My car is a 1997 SSEi. This problem showed up after I switched from a failing Les Schwab Xtreme Power battery to an Optima Yellow Top. The car has a light sensor and automatic headlights. When it's light out, everything behaves normally, but when it's dark, the headlights come on and the compass, HUD, and driver information center dim as normal, but the AC/climate control lights go out completely, and the speedometer and gauges don't light up like they're supposed to. Any idea what might be causing this and how to fix it? It makes night driving kind of irritating. Thanks!
Last edited by Yagyu on Sun Aug 21, 2016 2:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
1997 Bonneville SSEi
-3.4" supercharger pulley
-ZZP Powerlog
-Flowmaster 80 Series exhaust
-160 degree Tstat
-Overkill ASI short ram intake w/ Spectre filter
-Overkill tuned PCM
-Drilled and slotted rotors
-NGK spark plugs (2 heat ranges colder)
-Optima Yellow Top battery
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redfury
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Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by redfury »

Check the battery voltage on the new battery without the engine running and with the engine running. Batteries act like a Capacitor when the car is running to help absorb power spikes. I believe the Optima batteries are AGM ( absorbed glass mat ) so they have slightly different operating principles than a standard wet cell battery. Perhaps you could find another battery to swap in and see if the problem resolves itself.
A temporary fix does not exist. It becomes a solution until it needs to be fixed again.
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J Wikoff
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Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by J Wikoff »

My dash lights acted weird when my headlight switch was dying.
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Yagyu
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Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 8:40 pm
Year and Trim: 1997 SSEi

Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by Yagyu »

Looks like it was a case of "problem exists between steering wheel and seat". Somehow the dash light brightness was reset and I failed to realize that the headlight switch turns to adjust the brightness. I knew that the twilight sentinel knob did that, but not the headlight switch. Thanks for the help anyway!
1997 Bonneville SSEi
-3.4" supercharger pulley
-ZZP Powerlog
-Flowmaster 80 Series exhaust
-160 degree Tstat
-Overkill ASI short ram intake w/ Spectre filter
-Overkill tuned PCM
-Drilled and slotted rotors
-NGK spark plugs (2 heat ranges colder)
-Optima Yellow Top battery
Top
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redfury
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Posts: 522
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:15 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SLE Saved from the scrapyard.
Location: Isanti, MN

Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by redfury »

I suppose the next time I will suggest "did you try messing with all the switches and knobs yet?" lol.
A temporary fix does not exist. It becomes a solution until it needs to be fixed again.
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Yagyu
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Year and Trim: 1997 SSEi

Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by Yagyu »

Yeah, felt pretty dumb after checking all the fuses, looking at the wiring, and testing sensors and realizing I hadn't tried turning that *dang* knob.
1997 Bonneville SSEi
-3.4" supercharger pulley
-ZZP Powerlog
-Flowmaster 80 Series exhaust
-160 degree Tstat
-Overkill ASI short ram intake w/ Spectre filter
-Overkill tuned PCM
-Drilled and slotted rotors
-NGK spark plugs (2 heat ranges colder)
-Optima Yellow Top battery
Top
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Bugsi
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Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by Bugsi »

Might tack "SOLVED" onto the front of your first post heading in this thread.
Glad you got it figured out. Don't feel bad, we've all done stupid things like that.
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R.I.P. 10/31/15: 1997 SE: "Silver Shadow"
`05 Mercedes S500
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1oldman
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Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by 1oldman »

Bugsi wrote: ........... we've all done stupid things like that.
I'm a member of that club. - BC
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
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MKMike
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Re: Weird dash light problems

Post by MKMike »

1oldman wrote:
Bugsi wrote: ........... we've all done stupid things like that.
I'm a member of that club. - BC
x2

I think that most, if not all, of us have had the occasional "brain fart".

Glad you solved the problem and reported back.
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