Indicator warning lights randomly on and off

Tiny
BOB HEPPNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
The indicator warning lights randomly go on and off when I turn the car on and while driving. It's very annoying. I'm assuming this could be an electrical problem. Any suggestions on how to address this issue? Please help?
Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 4:45 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Is it the check engine light that is coming on?
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
BOB HEPPNER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes, the check engine light, oil light, and several others blink on and off randomly. Sometimes they never come on and other times they blink on and off alot, especially when driving.
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Since the oil light is coming on, it can trigger the check engine light, but not the others. Just to be sure, make sure the oil is clean and full and pay attention when it happens to see if there is any ticking or knocking from the engine.

When this happens, is there any change in the engine's performance?
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
BOB HEPPNER
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  • 8 POSTS
Havent noticed any change in performance. Just checked oil level. Its full. I was told sometime ago that I the intake gasket may have a leak. Could that have anything to do with this?
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The intake gaskets on these vehicles are known to have issues such as coolant leaks and vacuum leaks. However, that wouldn't cause all of the lights to flash. Basically, you would either smell coolant or notice you are leaking it or the engine would run rough.
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
BOB HEPPNER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Not smelling any coolant, and car really runs pretty smooth. I've noticed some condensation on inside of oil cap which I was told might be caused by the intake leak. Any other thoughts on what might be causing lights to flash?
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Sunday, November 8th, 2015 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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That is a tough call. Based on everything you mentioned, it sounds like a bad electrical connection or ground. Since the vehicle performance doesn't change, my guess a bad body ground causing the system to lose connection briefly. At this point, you really have two choices. First, you can wait to see if it gets worse so that someone can identify where the problem is coming from. Or, you can have a tech drive the vehicle with a scanner hooked to the computer. What he would do is drive until it happens and then review freeze frame data from the scanner to determine what caused it.
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Monday, November 9th, 2015 AT 5:06 PM

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