1995 240 SX losing power when lights are turned on.

[raredatsun]

I wonder if anyone has seen or heard of this problem.
I have had this happen twice. Yesterday I was driving early in the evening and decided to turn my lights on.
I immediately lost ALL power, dashboard dead, engine dead, no lights nothing.
I got out and checked the fuses, tapped on the relays, etc.
After about 5 minutes, everything came back on as I was trying to start it again.
(I recently replaced the ignition switch (ELECTRICAL) with a brand new one due to it losing power to ACC and starting circuits, it was completely worn out inside when took it apart, contacts all worn at angles etc.)
I thought I had solved the problem with that, as it started up and ran fine until 2 days later when the car lost power again while driving.
I am wondering if the security system has been known to kill the power intermittently?
Any thoughts on or experience with this? Remember it failed when I turned on the headlights!
thanks
Joel

[rictask8er13]

The alarm system wouldn't draw any current while the car is on, it sounds like your fuse box connection could be bad, there's a fused wire that runs straight from the battery to the main fuse box then out to the interior fuse box you could have a short there or you could just as easily have a bad alternator and a good battery. I'd start with that check the output of your alternator and see what its outputting, because the lights draw a good amount of current which could be why it dies when you turn the lights on.

[Beat92240]

Check the grounds on the main battery. If everything is dying but youre not getting the red battery light coming on its likely thats what it is. If it was a bad alternator it would still run off the battery unless ur battery is s*** too. But to me it sounds like a weak ground. Check a resistance between the chasis and the negative battery terminal. then start checking continuity between the negative terminal and the bolt that holds the battery negative to the chasis. I'm thinking thats where you'll find the issue.

[fiznowler]

Check the grounds on the main battery. If everything is dying but youre not getting the red battery light coming on its likely thats what it is. If it was a bad alternator it would still run off the battery unless ur battery is s*** too. But to me it sounds like a weak ground. Check a resistance between the chasis and the negative battery terminal. then start checking continuity between the negative terminal and the bolt that holds the battery negative to the chasis. I'm thinking thats where you'll find the issue.

This is what I was thinking.
Also if your battery is really corroded or loose connection on the terminals it could do same thing.

[ricanrolling240]

Dude it's your alternator. Believe me I've been through this twice already.

[Michaelmoore]

I had this issue with my Talon. It ended up being a loose ground on the battery.

I drove 20 minutes from work to my moms work got out for 10 minutes then when I tried to start it up, nothing, absolutely nothing. Tightened the nut for the ground and bam started right up.