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1999 Mercury Sable Illumination of Radio and A/C

Tiny
ABWOLFSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MERCURY SABLE
Electrical problem
1999 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

The illumination of the radio and A/C are ok when the headlights or parking brake are on. If neither are on, there is not illumination on the radio or A/C, so you can not see the time, temperature, etc.

This is intermittent, mostly off ~95%, but occasionally on.

Any suggestions to resolve the problem will be greatly appreciated.
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Monday, July 20th, 2009 AT 5:30 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
The power to both goes through the headlight switch. IF I had to guess, that is where the problem is coming from. If you play with the switch, does it make any difference?
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Monday, July 20th, 2009 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
ABWOLFSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have tried playing with the switch. The only effect is to have the panel on when the parking or headlights are on and off when the parking or headlights are off. Moving or jiggling the switch does not illuminate the panel.

Since the power goes through the light switch, it might be an internally broken wire that makes contact every once in a while.

Is there an easy way to get at that area without removing the dash?
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I believe on your model year, you need to remove it from under the dash. I realize that isn't what you want to hear.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
ABWOLFSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks, I'll crawl under the dash and see if I can get to it from there. If I can get to it, I'll look for a broken wire. If I can't get to it, I think I'll just live with it and drive with the lights on, which isn't a bad idea anyway.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Let me know how it goes or if you have other questions.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
ABWOLFSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
There doesn't appear to be access to the headlight switch from underneath. There is an access panel on the left side of the dash, only visible with the door open. I cannot get it open without forcing it and am afraid to break it. Any suggestions? Is there an easier way to get at the switch from the front of the dash?

Thanks,

Alan
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 8:01 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If you remove the knob, is there a nut behind it holding it in place? You may even have to remove that section of the dash.
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
ABWOLFSON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have not been able to remove the knob. I have pulled as hard as I can. No luck. There isn't a set screw to loosen either.

There probably is an easy way to get access to the switch and remove that section of the dash, but I can't figure it out.
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 AT 12:02 PM

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