Indicator warning lights randomly on and off

1997 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
98,000 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BOB HEPPNER
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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?
Nov 8, 2015 at 4:45 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Is it the check engine light that is coming on?
Nov 8, 2015 at 4:56 PM
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BOB HEPPNER
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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.
Nov 8, 2015 at 5:45 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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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?
Nov 8, 2015 at 5:58 PM
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BOB HEPPNER
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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?
Nov 8, 2015 at 6:11 PM
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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.
Nov 8, 2015 at 6:24 PM
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BOB HEPPNER
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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?
Nov 8, 2015 at 6:32 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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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.
Nov 9, 2015 at 5:06 PM
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