2G Strange electrical issues! HELP!!

[talonation777]

Hey guys, I haven't posted here in a while so forgive me if this is in the wrong spot.

I've been having an issue with my car that I can't figure out.

When I'm driving my car and i step on the brakes (with the lights turned off), the gauge cluster, HVAC controls and front turn signals & sidemarkers.
Basically everything that would come on when you turn on the headlight switch/turn signal lever to it's first setting, are the lights that come one.

When I'm driving the car during the day, and the headlights and all the interior lights (i.e gauge cluster, HVAC) are off, the cruise control will work, but when I'm driving at night, and all the lights are on, the cruise control will not engage.

I can't figure out what it might be, and I don't even know where to begin looking.

Hopefully that's a clear enough explanation and someone can shed some light on whats going on.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

Thanks!

...Should also mention that the car is a 97 Eagle talon.

 

[Spoolin18]

Check all your bulbs, I had a rear taillight bulb out and it would do the same thing. If its not that, then it might be a relay. Check everything and mark it off. Electrical gremlins are hard to trace down.

 

[gofer]

in the fuse box in the engine bay labeled "tail lamps" theres a fuse, its a 10A pull it out and check it. if its blown don't replace it! leave the 10A fuse unplugged and set your DMM (digital multimeter) to amps and stick the (+) red lead in the area the fuse is (there are two metal connections in there, your gonna want it touching the top one) and stick the (-) black lead on battery ground. then go turn on your headlights, if it reads more than 10A on your DMM then you've got a short somewhere... post back up your results and we'll track down the short.

*whatever you do DO NOT put a penny or a higher amperage fuse in there because you could potentially catch your dsm on fire.

 

[talonation777]

Thanks for the responses guys. Electrical gremlins are definitely the worst!

I did have a taillight bulb out, I replaced it and the problem is still occurring.

I'll have a look at the fuses under the hood and post what my findings are.