While driving to work today, I noticed that my parking brake warning light and low oil light had both come on. I was slightly puzzled by this, as my oil had been changed recently and my parking break was fully disengaged. I then began to notice other systems in my car were not working as well: my dash guages were lit up in their daytime color (when the headlights are on, they shift to a reddish color) and my turn signals were not working. My headlights were no longer working, my check engine light came on, my power locks and windows quit working... The stereo will power on to eject a CD, but won't stay on. The only thing electrical on my car that is currently working properly is the ignition system. I can't figure what could have caused this, as everything was working just fine last night when I drove home.

The soonest I can get it into a service shop is Tuesday, but it's my daily driver, and as such, I'm in a bit of a bind for driving until then. (no headlights = no driving after 5pm, more or less) Has anyone experienced this problem before, or know someone who has? If there's anything I can do to fix this versus spending a heap of money at a service shop, I'd much rather go that route... I've never experienced a problem like this on any vehicle I've ever owned... Please, any assistance that can be provided is very welcome.

Thank you!

 

Check the passenger footwell for moisture, you could have a wet SJB.
Have Autozone check your battery and charging system, your battery or alternator may need to be replaced.

 

.......

 

This would be my bet too, the classic water leak in the passenger footwell shorting out the junction box

 

Well, I do live in Seattle, so there's no shortage of moisture around here... I'll have to check it tomorrow morning, as I had to leave my car at work since I had no working headlights to drive home.

If it is an effect of water/moisture getting in there, is this a fixable problem? As much as I'm enjoying this whole episode, I'd rather not deal with it again. Is there a seal or something I should check to repair/replace?

Thanks for the replies, this is way more help than I got when I phoned into the stealership's service department: "I dunno. Could be a lot of things. You'll just need to bring it in."

 

Yep, classic wet smart junction box that controls all the
misbehaving functions you describe.
I dont believe its the battery.

 

You own an S197 and you haven't read the TSB for the water leak? That's the #1 cause of major nightmares in our cars. Even though both of my Stangs are garaged, I check the passenger side anytime the car has been in the rain and after its washed.

 

**Update**

Somehow, everything is mysteriously working again... I went to check the passenger footwell for any moisture, and the carpeting and everything seemed to be perfectly dry. At my buddy's urging, I turned it on to find headlights, turn signals, windows, etc. all working as they should. -Except now my check engine light is on.

At this point, I'm assuming I should probably go to Autozone or someplace to get it diagnosed? Whatever happened yesterday has obviously done something to trigger my check engine light, so obviously the problem is still present, although not as severe as yesterday. Is it possible the SJB just needed time to dry out? Or is there another possible trigger for this?

 

Nope, the SJB does not just dry out and start to function correctly again.
A simple negative battery cable removal and replacement will sometimes
reset the SJB logic and it will start to mysteriously work properly again.
Get the DTCs and lets go from there.
Check enginelight and wet SJB are two different problems all together.

 

It is working again because it has dried out. look here and you will see a solution to the problem. The "Gem Module" is located in the passenger side kick panel. Even thought the carpet was not wet, this still very much could and im sure IS the problem. what you need to do is take the plastic door trim off of the bottom of the passenger side door and the plastic off the kick panel. they both just pop right out. take the clips that hold the carpet in place and feel under it, it will be soaked. take a towel and put in under the carpet, esp near the passenger seat, it will pool there. you need to get that water up before it molds.

To fix this problem you can do one of two things, i have provided you with the technical service bulletin which will tell you what the dealer will do to check this problem, giving YOU the tools to do it yourself or you can take it to the stealership. they will charge you about $250 but their work is warrantied.

Also note that taking it to Auto zone will do nothing, they are good for checking your codes for free and getting quatlity parts for a fair price , they are not mechanics. If you take it to the stealership, print out the TSB i have given you, show it to them and make sure they go through all the steps. if you do it yourself let us know cause it will be a chore and we will have some pointers for you. Good luck, you are not alone, search the forums BTW...

Also note: 50TH POST! W00T! OT HERE I COME!!!!