Does anyone know what's happening when you turn your parking lights on in your 1989 acura legend the dash lights go on but when you turn the headlights on the dash lights go off?

Answer 1

*Before getting into all of that, check your brake lights to make sure they are working. Since people rarely see their own brake lights most cars are designed to disable the dash lights if the brakes lights stop working (same circuit). Your dash lights only come on when you turn on the parking or headlamps, so I'm not sure why you say they go out - unless it is the switch after all. Most often, if your dash lights won't work, there's a blown fuse for your brake lights. The problem is your dash lights go out when you turn on your headlights. The technical problem is in the switch assembly that houses the turn signals and light switch (combination switch) has a faulty connector inside. On my legend this happened and when I took it apart, I saw that the brass connecter have worn over time and dirt has gotten stuck, preventing any electrical connection. At first I just cleaned the connection, but that only worked until it filled up with dirt again. I found out that you couldn�t just replace the one stick that�s broken; you have to replace the whole combination switch (its all stuck together). Eventually I phoned up the Acura dealership and they gave me a price of about $200 Canadian. But there is an easier way, phone up an auto wrecker and ask them for a combination switch, they gave me a price of $30 can. I figured since the part is still used it might have the same problem, but then again I could replace the used one almost 10 times before It matched the price of the new one. The installation is pretty easy so you can do it yourself. Unplug the battery. If you don�t have an airbag you can just pry off the center of the steering wheel and that gains you access of the bolt that holds the steering on. You may have a bit of trouble getting this bolt off; find a wrench that is long for more torque. Once that is off make sure you mark where the wheel is set before you take off the wheel, and unplug the horn. Once you have removed the steering wheel that should show you the screws that hold on the combination switch, unscrew them. The under guard normally is in the way so you might have to take that off as well. Follow the wires coming out of the combination switch and mark down where they go on the car. Pull the unit out the replace it with the new one. Put screws back in and use the sheet to plug back in all the wires. Tada fixed and with 170 dollars still in your pocket. Most wreckers have a must work policy so if the part doesn�t work then they should give you a new one.