Recently, my 2002 Protege 5 started having a strange problem. It was working perfect all along, till one day I go to start it...nothing but a click. Tried everything I could think of...click..click..click. I thought maybe the battery was dead, tried the headlights, they worked OK. Tried starting it again...starts! Now every time I get into the car and try to start it, it will click until I turn on the headlights, then it will start. What the heck is going on??? I noticed that click comes from the glovebox area, then when I turn on the lights, another smaller click is heard, that must be turning something on (or off??) It seems to be connected to the little flashing light on the steering column, when I turn on the lights, it turns that light off, then the car will start.


Did I hit something, or switch something without knowing it?? Is it some sort of anti theft thing??

 

Have you owned this car since new? The reason I ask is because I have seen anti-theft systems in cars that you must turn on the lights to start the car.

 

I've only had it for about a month. It was fine up until recently, I removed the trim around the CDplayer/heater controls, power windows, and shifter to paint it the body color (looks really cool too BTW!), so I thought I might have inadvertantly hit something.

But yeah, I have to turn on the lights to start the car. Not really a problem, but it's a pain in the butt, and it never used to be like this.

Any ideas how this "feature" is turned on / off??

 

It sounds like an aftermarket feature that was added by a previous owner. I would look under the dash area or near the headlights to see if there is any non-factory wiring or relays. Any aftermarket wiring should stick out. Then follow it to see where it goes.