I have about 270 K miles on my 98 Sport 4X4 with A4 and tow package. I have done a ton of maintanence to it over the years and have kept it in beautiful shape ... original motor, trans and rear ends etc.

About a year and a half ago, a friend said to me "Bet you've got a bunch of electrical issues with that thing, don't you?"

"Nope, " I said, "Nothing to speak of but fog lights ..." And that, right there, was the beginning of the end ... go figure

Here's what I've got ... or should I say lost all at approximately the same time ... Cruise, AC, Horn, Reverse lights occasional loss of cluster but a tap on the cluster face restores that ... I fixed the fogs with new lamps and a new switch ... they don't do squat anyway ... got some KCs on the way .... but .... tired of putting up with this and I have some time now ...

Is there a connector that services them all ... or some common thread to these glitches ... you all could maybe save me some time tracing wires and starin' at wiring diagrams ... hope hope ... It's hot as hell here in NC, right now.

 

Hey Vista! Long time no see.

One of the more common electrical problems stem from bad grounds.
Check all your ground wires even those coming from the underhood relay center.

Several of the problem systems have relays in there.
Good place to start.

And if that doesn't help...stop by man.
Ya know where im located, right?

 

Reverse lights....NSS
Cluster...Loose connector on the back...common problem for that year..
Cruise and horn sounds like you have a issue at the wheel.....

How are your skills with a voltmeter/test light?

 

This might be easier to fix than you think. There are several fusible links on the starter relay located on the front of the inner front fender. If one of these fails, and is is common, then you will loose multiple systems. The best way to check them is with a safety pin and volt meter or test light. Pierce the wire with the pin and check for voltage. Good luck.

 

Yes !! ... right on! ... THANKS to all ... I'll power up the multi meter and look for those fuse links ... like I say it was about a simultaneous dropout on the horn and cruise and ac ... no power to the ac clutch.

NSS makes sense too.... and suspected that since it needs a pull to neutral to start once in a while ... other times it's fine ... connector lube and clean or an adjust or replace do ya' think, 98JJ?

Howler ... I'll go after those grounds ... now where the heck are ya? I moved to Wilkesboro NC in May ... lol ... probably should change my profile.

I have a few more questions too ... don't want to abuse the collective knowledge of this forum though ... got some KC Slim fogs on the way in and I'm wondering about others' experiences in mounting them on the bumper or not .... just need more light on the road immediately out front...