Joey: Electrical Problem, seen this before?

sc2_ct · 09-10-2002, 03:53 PM

Hi Joey,

Last night when I went out to get in my car, as soon as I turned on my lights, I had the fuse for my tail lights and insturment panel blow. I threw in another 10A fuse and, sure enough, as soon as the light-switch was turned on, the chiming from the open-door indicator stopped, and no lights. The fuse had blown again. I tried with a 15A fuse (just to check, wasn't going to drive anywhere with an extra 5A on the wires), and it to blew immediately. It looks like there is some kind of a short in the wiring or something, but i haven't made any changes to that circuit ever (and haven't made any changes to any other circuit in at least 3 weeks). Is there any particular thing that commonly causes this to happen? This is the worst time for it to happen since I am involved in a huge project at work. Right now the car is sitting at the dealership and they will squeeze it in tomorrow (I figure the dealer is usually better equiped to deal with electrical problems than the shop I usually go to), but it would be great if there was anything I could check that could possibly prevent me having to leave it at the dealer. Thanks.

OX · 09-11-2002, 04:03 AM

Has any other work been done to the car recently? Any bodywork, or interior work? It is always possible that a screw can come into contact with a wire and short it out if this is the case.

If not, what you describe is definitely a short to ground. Since you have it at the dealers, it will be interesting to hear what they find.

Bizzar · 09-11-2002, 07:41 AM

and say.......BTSI solenoid. Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock solenoid. I believe I had a similair one years ago. It could also be a bad bulb believe it or not.

sc2_ct · 09-11-2002, 02:08 PM

I haven't done any interior work, exterior work or electrical work for quite some time. I don't think that I have been anywhere near that circuit as of yet. I'm reasonably sure that they will be able to figure it out at the dealer, since the Wallingford, CT Saturn dealer actually is quite good at what they do and have good service (expensive still however...). Anyways, I'll find out from them what it is, and as soon as I do, I will post it here in case anyone else has as problem like this.

Bizzar · 09-11-2002, 05:41 PM

Correction on my part. My delayed memory has failed me lol! It was an inop turn signal problem not tail lights. Sorry about that. It just hit me.

sc2_ct · 09-11-2002, 06:06 PM

Okay, they found the problem. It was a short in one of the wires in the dash-board. Apparently one of the bundles of wires slipped down and came in contact with the radio support bracket and rubbed through the jacket on one of the wires, causing the wire to short to ground. Ahh, the problems associated with a stiff suspension. Anyone reading this may want to check the next time they have their stereo out that all of their cables are routed away from this bracket (because of it's sharp edge) and maybe secure anything that is questionable by using a couple of zip-ties. $210 later, at least I can drive after dark again

Joeybagodonuts · 09-13-2002, 12:58 AM

geez, i sure jumped in this one late huh? LOl cause i wouldve guessed the chime module anyways, seen them blow fuses and weird **** too. thanks der! hey man, ill be stopping in to say hi soon, nelsons (yobos4ever) wife got the car show flyers done!