Car

Ask a Car Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Car question?

30 Auto Mechanics are Online Now

characters left:

Not a Car Question?

Question

I got my left headlight changed in my Pontiac and now I am having electrical problems. At first, it would start and then die. I had to wait at least 24 hours before trying to crank it again. The theft system light on the dash would blink. Now it cranks fine and when I'm driving all of the interior lights on the dashboard come on and my radio loses power. It cuts off and on and sometimes resets my stations. My gauges also drop as if the car has been turned off but then jumps back up. Now the night light works but my daytime lights don't. I put it on the diagnostic machine and it read no codes. What do I need to do to get this fixed and will it be expensive?

Edited by XXXXXXXXX on 1/8/2008 at 10:56 PM

Submitted: 682 days and 6 hours ago.

Category: Car

Value: $9

Status: CLOSED

Optional Information:
1999 Pontiac Sunfire 2.4

Already Tried:
Changed other headlights, changed connection to battery, turn off theft system (car would start then immediately die), new headlight, diagnostic machine

Posted by Dan 682 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

I would start by replacing the ignition lock cylinder (includes the theft sensor) and ignition switch. They both are known for causing no starts, stalling, electrical issues and security/theft problems. I would take it to a GM dealer as they should stock the parts, know how to install them and also be able to program the theft system to the new passlock sensor (theft sensor in the ignition lock cylinder). Retest and let me know what happens ok.

682 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Dan's Post: This sounds very expensive. Can you explain how changing a headlight can cause this problem?

Accepted Answer

It may or may not be related. Has your car been in any kind of a wreck where front end damage occured? They may for some strange reason disconnected your battery and something was shorted in the process. Hard telling what some people do to achieve easy tasks...trust me I have seen some doozeys. I would start by checking the battery and connections. If ok then like I said go ahead and replace the ignition lock cylinder and switch.

Accepts:
Expert:	Dan
Pos. Feedback:	98.5 %
Answered:	1/9/2008

Auto Service Technician

GM ASEP A.A.S. 14 years GM experience. Mark of Excellence and Professional Guild awarded.

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.

Car

Have your own Car question?

Related Car Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Optional Information: 1999 Pontiac Sunfire 2.4Already Tried: Changed other headlights, changed connection to battery, turn off theft system (car would start then immediately die), new headlight, diagnostic machine

Answer

Reply

Reply to Dan's Post: This sounds very expensive. Can you explain how changing a headlight can cause this problem?

Accepted Answer

Related Car Questions

Optional Information:
1999 Pontiac Sunfire 2.4

Already Tried:
Changed other headlights, changed connection to battery, turn off theft system (car would start then immediately die), new headlight, diagnostic machine