Electrical - window switch & shifter light

[glassgirl01]

I've already read posts on the horn issue I have.... sounds like many of us can thank poor engineering for not having a horn that works.

I've got a few other electrical issues in my 2002 Vue.
The lights around my shifter don't work. I think they've flickered on twice while I've owned it. My son's friend has an '03 and he says his have never been on.

My other issue is with one of my rear window switches. It will let the passenger put the window down, but I have to put it up using the master switches in the front.

Any thoughts? Advice?

[far2grumpy]

Horn ... I assume you've determined the horn assembly is OK (should honk when using keyless entry to lock doors), and the existing switch is part of steering wheel airbag. I'll attach the schematic if you want to determine a good place to intercept wiring to add a separate horn switch.

Lights around shifter ... the only lights on my 05 Vue are heated seats switches and PRNDIL beside the auto trans gear selector. Are these the lights not working on your center console?

Rear window switches ... I suppose the good news is your drive motor is good if the front switch works OK. I've attached the diagram so you can get an idea where failure might be. I've not had a Saturn power window switch apart but had broken solder connection on at least two MOPAR window switches. Its frequently possible to disassemble window switches and re-flow the solder connections to restore good continuity.

[OhioVueBoy]

Lights around shifter ... the only lights on my 05 Vue are heated seats switches and PRNDIL beside the auto trans gear selector.
Don't forget the LEDs in the window switches themselves.

~D.J.~

[far2grumpy]

OhioVueBoy... nice catch on LED's ... I checked my Vue last evening ... doing a H/A job ... without a key (using parking lights only) and those little LED guys didn't come on with parking lights.

[glassgirl01]

The horn - the dealer told me the most "cost effective" way to deal with the horn is to keep the relay pulled, otherwise it is stuck on. Whatever's broke, it will take an entire airbag assembly to fix the horn issue. I donn't feel like spending over $700 for it to work. I'm thinking aftermarket is the way to go on the horn.

As far as the lights around my shifter, the P N D I L, there's been a few times that I was shifting out of PARK when it happened, lights flickered on for a few seconds and I could see what gear I was in. Other than that, the little yellow-orange lights in my window switches are the only ones on all the time in that lower part of the counsel. I don't like not being able to look down and visually confirm that I'm in DRIVE, rather than I or L. The shifter pulls back so smoothly, I could easily go down farther than I should.

On the window switch, I was kind of thinking it could be a loose wire. I'll pull the switch and check it. I've been wanting to tint the windows in the rear doors anyway, and I prefer to do it with the panels off... if I'm going to start taking things apart, I might as well tint the glass.

[far2grumpy]

The horn switch integral to steering wheel air bag is probably stuck on. Others have installed aftermarket push button switches in wiring between the old horn switch and the instrument panel fuse block.

Lets see if someone with horn experience has suggestions for you.

I've attached schematic for PRNDL lighting. There appears to be a socket with two wires (12 V and ground) and a single lamp. Its possible the lamp is either loose in the socket or has broken filament making intermittent contact.

Please advise if you need hints on how to get to the shift lever lamp.

[chillin05VUE]

The shifter may have a broken wire leading to the light. With the shift cover and engine off, e-brake set and the shift in "L", turn on the parking lights. Locate the wires for the light. If the light is lit, give a slight push or tap on the wires. If the light goes off and on, then you have a break in the wire. Move the shifter while looking to see it it's rubbing or binding up the wire. If you have some experience with wire repair, ou should be able to fix it yourself. If not, you can take it somewhere to have it fixed for you. If you can fix it, after the fix, be sure to move the wire away from the shifter so it won't happen again.

Good luck and long live duct tape