interior lights flash off & on

[manxbuggy1]

ok guys here is my problem. My interior lights work sometimes and sometimes they dont. I thought maybe it was my headlight switch going bad but when my dash lights wont work , my headlights still work fine. This is not a new problem for my car. It has been going on for a few years. Up until this year though it only happened 4 or 5 times a year and when the lights came on they did not flicker back out. They stayed on. This morning they went off and on 3 times on my commute to work, finally going off and staying off. Sometimes if I turn them off and back on they come on, sometimes not. It only starts happening when the weather starts getting cooler. Our winters here in south Texas are very mild but for some reason my festie doesnt seem to like them. Please offer any suggestions because this is becoming very frustrating. Thanks in advance.
Rick

[m715]

Different circuit, same switch. From what you describe, I would change out the switch.
JMO
Michael

[mechanicaldj]

try replacing the dimmer switch on the dash(under the left vent)

or at least turn the knob up and down hard til it works better (contacts might be dirty)

[manxbuggy1]

Thanks guys. I just discovered that when my dash light lights go out so do my taillights. Does this kind of narrow it down? To think I have driven with this intermittant problem for the last three or four years without getting pulled over is amazing. Could it still be the switch? almost sounds like a fuse except that a fuse can't be on and off can it? I greatly appreciate your input.
Rick

[m715]

Purely speculation until you take it out and look it over, but what I have seen when that problem happens are burnt contacts in the switch. The grease they shoved in those switches gets hard and flaky preventing good contact. Then the contacts burn out arcing trying to make contact ruining the switch.

[manxbuggy1]

I found a new turn signal switch on ebay for $89.95. It has both stalks on it . Are the head light switches on Festivas one piece incliding headlight, blinker snd wipers on same switch?The one that I found also has delay wipers. Mine does not . Are the delay wipers all in the switch or do they require a delay wiper motor? This one has yellow letters , mine has White letters. Do you think that this would work and give me delay wipers or should I stick to the kind I have? They have some of those for the same price also. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Rick

[m715]

Sounds expensive for what it is. I know I have seen those offered for less than that on there before. I would put in a WTB (want to buy) ad in the for sale section, and go with a good used if it were me. Just ask for the whole stalk, and it will just be a straight swap out. The delay for the wipers is built into the switch also. The only thing nice about the switch you are talking about on Ebay is that it is a variable speed delay vs one speed that was on the Festivas equiped that way. I wish I had a spare to send you, but mine are all early madels, which are different than yours. You look like you have a 1990-93, correct?

[manxbuggy1]

Yes I have a 1990 . I dont mind paying this for a new switch and it is local in Houston so I wouldnt have to wait for shipping from somewhere. This switch also has cruise control on it . That wont mess me up will it? They also have the switch without cruise and no delay wiper for same price, but delay wipers would be nice if it will work. Thanks again Michael for all of your help.

[m715]

You just won't use the wires for the cruise control. Others on the site use that same switch with no problems. It actually is designed for the Mazda 323, our car's big brother is why it has the extras from what I gather. Get out your steering wheel puller, and you should be well on your way.

Michael

[manxbuggy1]

Ok, today I replaced the switch and still no dashlights or taillights. The little buzzer thing that lets you know you left your lights on doesn't work either. Still almost sounds lika a fuse, but pulled the fuse out and it is fine. I then checked the terminal that the fuse plugs in and no juice is getting to it. Could there be some kind of relay gone bad or maybe one of my fuseable links bad? The only good thing about this is I now have intermittant wipers lol. Good if I drive during daylight but no night driving for me till I get this annoyance fixed. Sorry to keep bugging you guys but you have helped me before and I need to draw on your knowledge again. Thanks in advance again.
Rick

[m715]

OK, the circuit runs from the headlight switch, to the engine compartment to the parking light relay located passenger side on the side by the air box. From there, it goes to the "tail" 15 Amp fuse in the box. You may have narrowed it down to there. Sorry you spent the extra on the switch, but it sounded the way you described at first like you could jiggle the switch and it worked sometimes, not bumps in the road making it intermittent. My mistake.
From the fuse, it feeds the instrument panel lighting, and rear lighting to all lights including the hatch. I would try tapping on the relay with the lights, and see if the lights act up. It may need replaced, or the connections may just be corroded.
The relay will have two white wires that go to the "main" fusable link on the drivers side by the strut tower. Check it too, that may be the real problem, and if you haven't yet, replace the factory wire with a PAL fuse at you local McParts store. You can use a 30 or 40 amp for your "main" circuit. They get corroded, and are a common problem too. The other wires going to the relay are red/yellow toheadlight switch, and red/black that goes to the "tail" fuse.

Keep posting!

Michael

[manxbuggy1]

Thanks Michael, I will try these things in the morning. The old switch had some pieces broken on it so it was probably going to mess up in the near future anyway so no regrets there. I appreciate your input and will keep you posted.
Rick

[manxbuggy1]

I looked on the passenger side by the air box and couldn't find any relays. The only one that I saw is on the firewall. It doesn't have white wires but I don't trust my wiring colors because about 10 years ago my entire wiring harness was replaced because of an electrical melt down in my car. The harness was from a festy but I do not remember which year. If possible can you post a picture of the relay that you are talking about? Thanks again for all your time.
Rick

[m715]

I don't have the only fuel injected car I have here handy. It is parked in the barn with no electricity, and I leave/come home in the dark right now. Check that fuse link on the drivers fenderwell first. It is center one of three wire loops in a small brown terminal box.
Pictures aren't loading on the site right now.

[manxbuggy1]

I will check it. Thanks