Car trouble....Mouse are you available?

[flash3992]

Sorry to be so blunt, but evertime a DoDer has car trouble, it's always Mouse to the rescue. So that's why I titled it this way.

My problem is: I have daytime running lights. When I release the parking brake, they come on. They are not as powerfull as my dim headlights. But now here's my problem. My daytime running lights come on, but my dims don't. If I just turn the parking lights on, release the parking brake, I have headlights. If I turn the headlight switch to "ON" the lights go out. If I go to "High Beam" they come on. So it's not burned out headlights. Because I have "daytime running lights". I also have Brights. I just don't have the dim headlights. I can't figure this out, and I can't afford to take it to the shop.

So I brought my problem to the "MOUSE" garage. TIA

[verwon]

Well I am not Mouse but when we bought our Monte and it was doing similar stuff, it was a bad wire, on the Monte Carlo's, they put the wiring box right near the drivers side tire so it was throwing water up in the wiring all the time. We had to rip the wires out and fix it.

[Mouse7088]

I'm not really "educated" on the electrical stuff hon'...give me something where I can get grease under my nails LOL!

I have to do some searching...AND read your post a few more times...it's confusing..yet NOT. Make sense?!?! LOL! Right off I wondered if your parking brake was on the floor (driver's side)...not the center console..I would have thought a pinched wire....just because of the releasing and engaging of of the parking brake. Are there wires hanging out any where? Like right under the steering wheel column?? I know after I had some stupid garage work on the Olds I about ripped those suckers out because they left them hanging and I didn't see them (because of the column). If you have a foot engaged parking break...is there ANY chance your coming in contact with any of the wiring?
How old is your car babe? My dims and high are one headlight...running lights are a totally different lamp of DH and I's car. Another thing...lol...how the heck did you discover this whole deal with the parking break?!?!?! I can't remember the last time I ever used mine in the last 2 vehicles I drove!! LOL! Ohhhhh, I bet you drive a standard?!?!?!

[Mouse7088]

Flash...how easy is it to access the wiring????

Just hit me..AND the simplist too boot. GROUND WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like switching from high to low..low to high...if there's a ground wire out of commission then it's an over load..does this make sense?!?! Instead of acting "funky" it will just cause them to go out completely. You did mention when you hit the switch to ON...lights go out..my first stop..check the grounding! I remembere4d the whole mess of "grounding" because of our tractor/riding mower.

[Mouse7088]

I haven't found anything really siginificant yet flash...was looking at [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] , but hey while searching...I found out the reason Kenny and I had for our ABS light coming on in the Olds at the oddest of times..LOL!

Like I said..I don't know the make of your car, but (it says brake application, not emergency or parking brake)....
Honda Information
..... Returning to Hondas - a no-charging system may not be the alternator. Honda has been using an ELD (electrical load device) relay for the last 10 years or so. Honda uses PCM strategy to control the voltage regulator. We have learned to let the engine run a few minutes before checking alternator output (the PCM lets the initial start up to stabilize before turning the alternator on, reducing the load on the engine). Honda uses the ELD relay to control alternator output -- no load, no work at idle.
..... The typical customer complaint will be they are noticing the dash, or headlights, dim with turn signal use or brake application. Check the ELD before condemning an alternator.
..... And, as a reminder, check the dash warning light -- it needs to be working before the alternator will work. Heck, as long as I am there -- Honda needs a functioning dash light, but it is grounded by the alternator -- so... for a no-charge, check the bulb. If it doesn't light, go out to the alternator and ground the appropriate wire -- if the bulb lights now, proceed with the rest of the charging system check.
..... In a nutshell, there it is -- a Honda may not charge because of a: bad alternator, bad dash bulb, bad ELD, or a bad PCM (in that order).

[Mouse7088]

For vehicles equipped with daytime running lamps (DRL), switching on the ignition and releasing the parking brakes automatically activates the headlight low beams at reduced voltage. Some vehicles are equipped with a daytime running lights in-dash indicator, which will illuminate when the daytime running lights are in operation. The daytime running lights will operate until the parking brakes are applied, then they will switch off. Turning on the regular headlights will override the daytime running lights.

Geesh...this IS normal?!?! How confusing for me..LOL! K..I still think it's a ground wire...and I have read even a bad wire in the turn signal can mess with the headlights.

[telos2000]

I think I know where the loose wire is.................

[blueaguave]

Originally Posted by flash3992

Sorry to be so blunt, but evertime a DoDer has car trouble, it's always Mouse to the rescue. So that's why I titled it this way.

Don't worry dude, back in the day I titled many car trouble threads like this too! Lately I've had a very reliable car, but I remember Mouse providing good advice many times!

[Mouse7088]

MAN Rod...<shaking head> You're lucky I like you..LOL!

Oh blue..you're a sweetie, ya really are. I do a lot of "GUESSING"...when that fails, I go to a few car sites that I know have helped in the past.

Ya know...I think I should go to school for mechanics...I don't know how many times I would have preferred to have a woman explaining my car probs....well, except now that I HAVE found the perfect mechanic (YO MIKE!!!)...well, Kenny thinks he was a little sweet on me...I think he was just glad to talk to a woman that wasn't AFRAID or intimidated to talk cars

[telos2000]

Originally Posted by Mouse7088

MAN Rod...<shaking head> You're lucky I like you..LOL!

.....

[flash3992]

Originally Posted by Mouse7088

For vehicles equipped with daytime running lamps (DRL), switching on the ignition and releasing the parking brakes automatically activates the headlight low beams at reduced voltage. Some vehicles are equipped with a daytime running lights in-dash indicator, which will illuminate when the daytime running lights are in operation. The daytime running lights will operate until the parking brakes are applied, then they will switch off. Turning on the regular headlights will override the daytime running lights.

Geesh...this IS normal?!?! How confusing for me..LOL! K..I still think it's a ground wire...and I have read even a bad wire in the turn signal can mess with the headlights.

Yep, that's how the DRL work in my car. It's a 97 Geo Metro. When I disengage the parking brake,(yes it is a standard tranny) the DRL come on. There is an in-dash indicator that tells me that the DRL are on. Since I've started this thread, I've talked to a few people at work. They all said the same thing as you Mouse.........a ground wire. I'll check it out this weekend. Don't have time during the week. Gotta do my brakes anyway. Thanks for the help, will post what I find.

[Mouse7088]

Oh man I remember looking at those GEOs (I was thinking the one I liked was called a Sport?!?!) when I lived in Florida....those suckers got EXCELLENT gas mileage!
You would *think* it had to be a ground wire since when you turn the switch to "on" you lose them completely. I REALLY hope you are able to find the prob and that it's something SOOOOOO simple!

[GR8GIRLS]

Hey Mouse,
My dh is an automobile instructor and a diesel motor instructor. Maybe he could give you the internet training ....lol And he's a Steeler fan, but his choice of Nascar drivers leaves alot to be desired!(Ward Burton...not even driving anymore)