Electrical issues please help

Tiny
STRATUS98
  • MEMBER
  • DODGE STRATUS
Alright I am new here and did a quick search but it yeilded no results. I have a 1998 Dodge Stratus it has about 120K miles.
Now to the fun stuff, for the longest time my car has had this electrical problem, which is when I turn on my headlights my windshield wipers turn on and the passenger side head light dims, the passenger turn signal is at a higher speed, and the horn doesn't work. I have replaced the BCM, re-sealed the headlights cause I noticed some moisture in them, replaced the multi funcion switch, and scanned over the wiring entering the cabin from the engine bay. I can't think of anything else to look for. When the headlights are off the horn works fine and the windshield wipers operate normal and the turn signals do to.
With just the parking lights on if I honk the horn the windshield wipers turn on. But the turn signals operate at the usual speed.
With the passenger side headlight bulb removed and the car turned on the windshield wipers turn on even without the headlights/parking lights on.
I have been told it could be the ECU or a bad ground, or possibly a relay.
This happens intermittently, but as of late it has been constant. Please help me out I am at my wits end
Friday, December 15th, 2006 AT 10:27 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARUNDELL
  • MECHANIC
  • 602 POSTS
Hey stratus,
Time to get down and dirty I guess! And the ground issue is the first place I would start. Verify ALL the grounds for each system affected, you'll need a wiring diagram to do this. Oh yeah. Do you have an aftermarket alarm system or remote starter installed? If so, these also could be the problem! Let us know!

Chris
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Saturday, December 16th, 2006 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Definitly sounds like a ground problem. There are some grounds under the dash by the kick panels. Check all the grounds in the engine compartment as well. Good luck
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Saturday, December 16th, 2006 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
STRATUS98
  • MEMBER
  • 96 POSTS
I made a mistake in my previous statement :oops:
with just the parking lights on the horn works fine causing no issues, also occasionally if I hit a bump they go back to normal but it has been been a constant issue for a month or 2 now.
Yes I do have a remote starter but I got this after the headlight issue had been happening, something I will still check out. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where I could find the grounds, I have looked at the ones in the kick panels and on the outer areas of the dash but no luck there.
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Saturday, December 16th, 2006 AT 6:24 PM

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