Hi everyone,

I hope the vast wealth of knowledge represented on this board can help me out with an electrical issue that just started happening on my 2004 VDP.

Whenever the headlights are on, the center dome light in the overhead console is dimly lit. Additionally, the power windows, sunroof, heated steering wheel, and clock illumination do not work. When I turn off the headlights, all of the above function normally and the dome light goes out.

Any ideas on where to start would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Guppy

 

Hi Guppy,

That is definitely a strange problem. A good start would be to identify any common points where all the circuits involved come together, either with a shared switch, relay, ground, electronic module, etc. Another possibility is a short in an electrical harness, either between two wires or from one or more wires to ground. You can download the 2004 XJ X350 Electrical Guide here:

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Elec...al%20Guide.pdf

The schematics in the Electrical Guide will show you all the components involved and with a little study you should be able to identify points common to all the circuits that are malfunctioning.

Please keep us informed!

Cheers,

Don

 

Hi Don,

Thanks for the quick reply.... I'll take a peek at the diagrams and see what I find.... I have had experience with bad grounds causing strange issues like this in the past..... hopefully this issue will be easy to find.....

Thanks again,
Guppy

 

First I would double check the earth posts by the headlights to rule out something simple but sounds to me like possibly a faulty fusebox, had similar odd issues with my rear lights and it was the rear fusebox. The fuse boxes have pcb's on the bottom where such shorts could occur, used ones are relatively easy to come by on eBay.

 

Gup,

You have a VDP, lights everywhere. With the headlamps OFF, open your doors and check EVERY lamp on the interior. Those in the roof, the doors, under the rear of the front seats, under the dash, in the headrests, everywhere. If you find any that DO NOT WORK, check the wiring diagram and find the fuse that powers the lights that DO NOT WORK. Many times if one of the many interior light supply fuses is blown, a back feed is created that causes weird stuff to happen, especially if the headlamps are turned on.

Good luck!