Cavalier 2005: When headlights are on; heater stops, dash lights go very very dimm and turn signal does not work and ipod ( hooked up to sig.lighter ) stops working....What could be the cause ? Thanks.

Stop Lamps
The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The body control module (BCM) provides a 5-volt reference voltage and low reference to the brake pedal position sensor. The position sensor provides an analog voltage signal back to the BCM that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. When the brake is applied, the BCM will then apply battery voltage to the left and right stop/turn signal lamp supply voltage circuits and the center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) supply voltage circuit illuminating the stop lamps. At the same time the BCM applies battery voltage through the signal circuit to the transmission control module (TCM) and the engine control module (ECM) indicating that the brakes are applied.
Ground for the stop lamps is supplied as follows:
• G402 provides ground for the left rear stop/tail/turn signal lamps
• G403 provides ground for the right rear stop/tail/turn signal lamps
• G301 provides ground for the CHMSL
The stop lamps on this vehicle will not illuminate unless the ignition is in the accessory, run, or crank positions. When the ignition is in the OFF position the stop lamps will not illuminate when the brake pedal is applied.
Battery voltage from the LT TRN/SIG and RT TRN/SIG fuses located in the rear fuse block is also used by the body control module (BCM) for stop lamp operation.

Turn Signal Lamps
Battery voltage supplied to the body control module (BCM) from the fuses listed below is used for turn signal and hazard lamp operation.
• LT TRN/SIG fuse for the left turn signals
• CTSY/RF TRN fuse for the right front turn signal
• RR TRN/SIG fuse for the right rear turn signal
When the turn signal switch is place in either the LEFT or RIGHT position, ground from G300 is applied through the turn signal switch signal circuit to the BCM indicating the turn signal request. In response to this signal, the BCM applies a pulsating voltage to the front and rear turn signal lamps supply voltage circuits cycling the lamps ON and OFF. At the same time the BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to cycle the appropriate turn signal indicator ON and OFF.
Ground for the turn signal lamps is supplied as follows:
• G104 provides ground for the left and right front turn signal lamps
• G402 provides ground for the left rear stop/tail/turn signal lamps
• G403 provides ground for the right rear stop/tail/turn signal lamps

Do you have a factory scan tool (tech2) ? Your best bet , take it to the dealer .

No dash lights? no warning lights? Then ignition is not being turned to ON. Check all your fuses. Recheck your replacement work. Battery cables clean and tight? Headlights work? If lights are bright, battery is good and cables are good, so key to ON should light up warning lights on dash. If not something up still with your ignition switch.

YOU still have a short or ground in the wiring most likely in the runnign light circuit.

Check under the hood for the computer or relay center, it could be under the dashboard on the driver side against the wall.

The headlight and turn signal are on two different switches and two different circuits. The main thing they both share is a ground connection.
I would check the ground and sockets for both the headlight and turn signal next.

if you meen come and go by nothing happens when you use turn sig lever up or down you dont get green arrow light on dash or hear sound sounds like gms multifunction switch its behind steering wheel and works wipers,turn sigs,brights and headlights on some models hazzards too thier pricey too

i had the same problem in a ford explorer. had to change the dimmer switch works great now

Hi, the likely problem is the turn signal switch. The signals and brake lights use different fuses. You can get an owners manual here:
http://www.extendedgmwarranty.com/owners-manual/chevrolet/1996-Chevrolet-Cavalier.pdf

A new switch is about $40, and it isn't too hard to replace. Make sure you get one that has the same controls as yours does. To replace the switch, remove the covers from the steering column, disconnect the switch and unscrew it from the column.

Please let me know if you have questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

sounds like you have a bad ground. could be the printed circut on the back of the cluster. as for the cig lighter def stsrt with a new ground