Every light came on in my dash!
 

Hey, I was tinkering around under my hood and out of curiosity i took the cap off of the electric motor for the pop up headlights (mistake #1). Of course when i did this i forgot to unplug the battery (mistake#2) and there were a few sparks. I couldnt figure out how to put it back together correctly either, so i just put it together for the time being. I go to start my car and every single light in the dash is on. (add coolant, oil light, abs light, battery light, and e-brake light).

This happened last night and I stopped working on the car out of frustration, hard ecu reset did nothing to eliminate the lights.

I am just looking for a little direction on where to start looking, would cpu#2 control all of these functions? Or would there be another unit that would control this stuff?

And does anyone know how to put those electric motor caps back on? I know how it mechanically is supposed to work but i dont know how you could pull the springs back on both sides and still be able to put the cap back on :S

Thanks

Are all the lights sort of dimly light (i.e. not complete full illumination)? If so, it's typically a charging problem (either a shorted battery or a alternator).

I was thinking low voltage as well, lights are normal brightness, i hooked a charger up to the battery thinking that would solve it but it did nothing... :(

this normally happens when the sensors are DC'd did you mess with the plugs that are next to the wheel well on the driver side?

i didnt intentionally do anything with the plugs there but that is the exact area i was working in so i could have done something.

what would have caused that? or how would i tell if the sensors are dc'd. i would think it would be one issue that is causing all the lights, it would be hard to believe every sensor in my car failed at one time...

You could have damaged the alternator as all the warning lights coming on is a sign of that. Your airpump will also get hot and start clicking.

car mechanically works 100% if it was alternator wouldnt the car eventually die? air pump has been deleted.

when my alternator went the car still ran, but like crap because of the airpump going crazy. My headlights worked OK at first too. Eventually the car would not start because the voltage got so low. check the bat voltage with the car off and then when its running.

I would take the alternator to your local parts store and have it tested....

I have a spare alternator that i will try out tonight, i will also double check all fuses. I was looking through the workshop manual and it suggests the same thing regarding the alternator.

I will update you guys on what happens. you have been very helpful. if anyone has any more recommendations dont hesitate to fire away!

Swapped in the spare alternator last night and all lights disappeared!! Thanks guys.

I find it odd the alternator triggered that many lights tho, ya think just the battery light would come on, would simplify your search down to only a few items.... lol. oh well.

Thanks!

All lights coming on IS the sign that your Alternator Crapped out.
That is What is supposed to happen to let you know that it did.
This will happen TOO if the belt snaps.(it should anyways).

yep, my water pump belt snapped on the highway once, all dash lights lid up like christmas!
water temp started climbing like crazy, so did my heart rate and my body temp

haha! i can relate to the body temp and heart rate increasing!! ;) lol. blood pressure as well... lol