I live in Alberta and am having a problem when the temperature drops. When the temperature gets below -20 celsius "something freezes" during the night. When I turn the vehicle over in the morning the only light on the dash that lights up is the SRS. Other then that nothing works. No odometer, gas gauge, rpm gauge or any other lights for that matter. The only thing that does work is the heater. It takes about 20 minutes for the cab to warm up and then like a switch is flicked the dash comes to light and the headlights turn on(yes they dont work at the start either). Any idea what is going on and what I could do to prevent it? When I first had the vehicle a few years ago it only did this when it got to -30. Over the past few years it has gotten worse and now only takes -20 weather. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

It is incredible what extreme variance in temperature can do to materials used on vehicles. The one symptom that gets me to think it is in the relay and fuse module near the battery, is the issue with the headlights. On cold startup, open the hood and the cover of the module and try to push on the fuses and relays and see if you get the lights to flicker sooner. It is for sure a connector / relay / back board issue in that module.

 

A similar thing happened to me a little while ago. It was a bit below 0* F (about -20 C) and I had no dash lights on when I turned on the ignition and started the vehicle. They came on once the vehicle was started but I thought it was odd. That's the only time it happened, sorry I can't help.

 

my 2004 SE does the same thing when its below 20degrees F. The wipers dont work or the seat heaters. i have learned to let it run for a few minutes then cut it off and then restart, on the restart everything works. so strange, i thought i was the only one.

 

Its -25 again today. When I start it I'll try to push on the fuses and relays to see what happens. I would love it to be as simple as replacing an old fuse but that seems almost to easy. Keeping the fingers crossed.

 

Just my luck. It warmed up to -15 today and when I went to start it there wasn't an issue. The forecast says it will be back in the negative 20's next week. Ill have to try then. If it is the fuses should I just go ahead and replace the offending ones or try and give them a clean and put them back? Also where is the best place other than the dealer to get new fuses? Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

You can get fuses anywhere, a fuse is a fuse.
Just make sure you get the correct type.
Most autoparts stores as well as chain "we have everything" stores carry a fuse kit, it is a variety of fuses in one neat easy to carry box.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...146457_0_87755

All modern cars use the blade type of fuse, just make sure you use the exact same size and not one bigger or smaller, meaning if you have a bad 20amp fuse you MUST replace it with another 20amp fuse not a 25, not a 30, not a 15, but a 20.
They are all marked, thats what the number on the top of them is, their amp size.
A "20" means 20 amps.