bgross88

Some of you may remember I had an electric gremlin a few years ago. Well, it's finally back. In short...car starts perfectly, and drives perfectly if you push the "bypass" button on the Auto Trans. I need to push the button cause I have virtually no power to dash.

No windows, radio, sunroof, gauges, radio or brake lights.

Could this be something in the instrument cluster? I removed it to see if there was a loose connection--no such luck.

One final thought, I started with the dash cluster for this reason: a while back, it happened and my buddy flat out smacked the top of the dash on the drivers side, as hard as he could. PRESTO! Everything worked...occassionally, the problem would reoccur and hitting the dash would restore the power. This time--no such luck--which is why I thought a connection. Now I'm thinking, if all those items that don't work now, run through the cluster--it could be as simple as a bad board within the cluster

Any other thoughts/opinions??

***EDIT** NOT throwing codes, no check engine light.

bgross88

So, do I win anything for having an issue that no one can figure out!!

BertNelson

Perhaps you could start with correct terminology. What the heck is the "bypass button on the auto trans"??i believe I know but perhaps you could be more accurate. And how on earth would this "button" effect power to the dash? You want help but the description of the problem is a mess.

2KHarrier

I'm sure he means the Overdrive in/out switch on the gear selector. I can't see why that would have any effect on the electrical system of the car. Perhaps an odd coincidence? As far as hitting the top of the instrument binnacle, that one stumps me....

Was there any work done to the electrical system? How many miles on the car? Any flood history?

I would start with checking ALL fuses and relays. Make sure they are all tight and corrosion free.
Check the fuses In the engine compartment as well as the small fuse block behind the storage cubby in the lower left corner of the dash.
The main fuses are in the engine bay, so start there.

bgross88

Let me back up...my 2nd post was a failed attempt at humor. Not a slap at this forum..my apologies.

I stated the car would start and was able to be driven, to indicate what was working. Since I have no brake lights..the transmission is locked out and won't shift . I popped the cover on the button by the gear selector, and "bypassed" the lock out feature to put the transmission in gear. That's what I meant by the bypass button. After further research, it's official name is the shift-lock override button.

At no time did power ever return to the dash, or anything that wasn't working. The car--engine and transmission--work perfectly fine--minus the lack of power to what I mentioned above. Sorry for the confusion on what exactly was occurring.

The car has had no work to the electrical system(I've owned it 5 years--one previous owner). No history of water/flood problems. Car has 165K.

I've checked every fuse I could find that controls items that don't work. All of them were okay. There are several in the engine bay fuse box/panel that weren't labeled, so I don't know exactly what they do.

It's going to the dealership on Monday for further diagnosis.

2KHarrier

Please report back what they find. This one is a little confusing. I hope it's something easy & cheap...(for your sake)

minor29

please.. I am having the same issue with mine. I have checked all fuses and relay's. by chance when you are at that click between ACC and starting it does your dash turn on along with all power accessories. that's what mine is doing yet once it fires it all goes away.

really looking for help
2001 lexus rx300 awd
funny - Mine has 164k on it....

bgross88

This finally got resolved for me about a month ago. Someone--not me or my mechanic--had replaced a fuseable link with a mickey-mouse, home made version. Over time, I guess the wires started to short out, and that's what caused all my electrical issues. It was a cheap fix. An hour of labor to diagnose/replace and the cost of the link. I think it was like 75 bucks total.

I got off lucky. I had visions of horrible things.

Minor29--my issue was my dash never turned on, but the car started/ran fine.