massive / sudden eletrical problems

[colonwq]

Hey Guys,

My '02 GLX suffered a massive electrical problem today.

The following no longer work:
- DRL and regular head lights
- Fog lights
- turn signals
- windshield wipers
- AC fan ( compressor unknown )

The following continue to work:
- high beams
- corner lights
- break lights
- seat heater
- sun roof
- interior lights
- power windows
- radio
- dash
- engine (it starts and runs normally)
- power steering and breaks work

Is there something in common to cause all of these things to stop working at the same time?

Thanks for any help,

Keith

[Toad]

sounds like an ignition switch problem (link).

[doublebarrel]

Yep, sounds like the ignition switch,replaced mine a couple months ago.Had all the same problems.

[colonwq]

Autozone happened to have one in town. I will be opening dash and swapping the part in the morning.

Thanks for the information. I would have been chasing fuses for a long time.

Does anyone happen to have the part number of the wiring harness in case it needs to be replaced?

Keith

[Toad]

I don't know if there is one, but i got one out of a junkyard bug. any mk4 vw will work too.

[Deserion]

Notes:
You can drop the column covers without taking the wheel off
Possibility of wiring harness corrosion (on my old '00, the second time I just fixed the wires and reused the switch, as the new switch was faulty)
Harness can be repaired by using repair wire pieces (or removed harness portion from junkyard)

[colonwq]

The problem has been fixed! Thanks for the pointer to the problem.

I used this link as a guide to fixed the problem.

Here are the steps I did to preform this repair:

1. Remove the fuse door on the left hand side of the dash.
2. Pop the end cap of the dash. Moderate force is needed.
3. Remove two torx screws from the left end
4. Remove three torx screws from the bottom edge of the trim under the dash.
5. Pop out the round cover from behind cup holder
6. Remove the torx screw hidden underneath.
7. Pop the lower dash trim off. Moderate force is needed as it is held in by sprint clamps. Catch and collect any that come off
8. Remove two screws from the bottom of the steering column cover
9. Remove the two screws located behind the steering wheel. A really long screw driver is needed.
10. Unlock the steering wheel column by releasing the locking lever
11. Remove the torx screw located underneath
12. Scrape the paint off of the two set screws
13. Loosen the set screws. I used a jeweler's screw driver.
14. Remove the ignition switch
15. Unplug the wiring harness.

Assembly is in reverse. Check the key turns properly after tightening the set screws. I did not slide the switch in all the way the first time.

Thanks for all the help on this issue.

Keith