2008 saturn vue electrical issues

[mylego1017]

i have a 2008 Vue and recently have been having electrical issues and need ideas on what could be the cause. every so often when i turn my brights on my radio goes off for a few seconds, when turn brights off radio may turn off for a few seconds, when brights are turned on the traction control light and the other light that looks like the traction one will stay on. now this isn't everytime i mess with the lights, just on occcasion but is happening more frequently. any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[far2grumpy]

I recall service bulletin for flaky lighting issues ... I'll try to track down.

Until I find - basics you can try are remove cover from underhood fuse block/electrical center and locate three bolt heads spread throughout the box.

Test each bolt for tightness - the fuse box consists of a few "slices" and a good connection between each slice is very important. Tighten each bolt equal amount.

Another possibility is a loose audio fuse in the Instrument Panel Fuse Box. This 15 amp fuse provides power to radio, instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the I/P multifunction switch.

I recall SB saying you should use a pocket screwdriver to firmly seat the fuse in fuse sockets.

If the first two steps don't solve the problem you could check G302 ground stud nut for tightness. This ground point is near dead center on floorboard under the drivers seat.

There's yet another SB which affects ABS & TCS lights on IPC ... I can email if you want to see ... use PM to send an address.

[GreggWoodcock]

I SOLVED THIS PROBLEM with my 2008 Saturn VUE:

These were my transient symptoms:
1: Instrument lights blinking off.
2: Instrument gauges not working or bouncing around.
3: Radio blinking off.
4: Turn signals don't work.
5: Turn signal activation disengages cruise control.
6: Cruise control cannot be set.
7: Car behaves as through battery has been removed (which also means that the key cannot be removed if you put it in).
These problems could usually be triggered by using a DC->AC power converter with a heavy load, like a laptop.

There were 2 problems with the battery connections.
1: The battery connections are of a poor design and do not allow for excessive (adequate) clamping so the positive terminal had wiggled loose. This was the main problem and made the care stable for a few weeks but then the symptoms came creeping back. So I went back to the battery area and found...
2: There is a very small gauge wire connected to the accessory lug of the Ground/Negative battery terminal via a very poor quality ring lug. The connection of the crimp to the ring was so week that when I gently pulled on it, it separated completely (see the 2 pictures: 1 before, 1 after). I stripped it back and screwed the nut directly onto the wire (did not yet replace with another proper ring lug) and have done 1000 miles with heavy load and no electrical glitches at all.
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