Help...No Power to my vert!!! Dead, just like that!!!

[cparker]

I can't believe it but my vert is DEAD!!! I have absolutely NO power!!! No interior lights or anything. It started yesterday when the alarm started to act really weird, and I got it to shut off, but I didn't drive it as I have been driving the VW to try to sell it! I didn't realize it had anything to do with the power source to my car until tonight! I opened the doors and the lights didn't turn on...so I tried to start the car and nothing!

I will have to call BCAA (automobile association) to come look at it! But for now anyone have any ideas of what it might be? I had already replaced the battery with a brand new one...just a couple of months ago so I doubt that is the trouble.

When I got the alarm put in they ran into this trouble (dead vehicle) and they said I had some strange kind of fuse that caused the problem (but I can't remember now what it was and I didn't write it down should have!) Any idea what fuse they were referring to???? Apparently it was some kind of fuse that might not be made any more?

Also when they installed the alarm they took out the switch for the immobilizer (not sure why they did that) because when I went to find it tonight it was gone!!! Like it never existed! So that's not the trouble either.

I will call them and BCAA tomorrow, but I doubt they will remember as it was done quite some time ago! Any of you think you might know what it could be???

Hope it is something cheap and easy to fix!!!

PS... I think I accidently posted this same message in the wrong section earlier...will try to delete it, but if I can't find it...SORRY!!

[94_240sx]

Sounds like something caused a battery drain. I'd take it to alarm guy and have him take a look at it. If you jump start it, it should start, but battery will die again overnight.

You posted it in KA24DE(engine) forum. It shouldn't be a problem.zerothread?id=264292

If you go to search page, you can search by Creator. That's how I found it.zerosearch

[Eikon]

This may sound very elementary, but first make sure that the battery posts are connected. Sometimes they can come loose and pop off. That would of course give you no power at all.

If the battery is properly connected, go ahead and remove it from the car. Take it to a local car parts store (Napa, Auto Zone, Checker... whatever is in your area), and have them test and charge the battery. If it's dead, it might take an hour or two to charge, so you might try running some other errands in the meantime.

If the battery is good, then your problem lies in a fuse at some point. If you have an alarm system or special sound system in the car, chances are they installed a special fuse. Check on the positive wire and follow it as far as you can. See if you can find a fuse installed on that line anywhere.

Can you tell where the special wiring is for that alarm system? If so, can you take a photo and post it here.... perhaps we can look at it and point something out for you.

We'll get you back on the road... no worries!

[cparker]

This may sound very elementary, but first make sure that the battery posts are connected. Sometimes they can come loose and pop off. That would of course give you no power at all.

If the battery is properly connected, go ahead and remove it from the car. Take it to a local car parts store (Napa, Auto Zone, Checker... whatever is in your area), and have them test and charge the battery. If it's dead, it might take an hour or two to charge, so you might try running some other errands in the meantime.

Well I did everything you said, and the battery was dead so I bought a battery charger and recharged it, but the guy said there is definately "something" wrong with the charging system... it may be the alternator! I have an appointment with my mechanic in Fort Langley in two weeks, (it's the only time I can get off work too!) so in the meantime I will just have to keep charging the battery!

[cmkelly]

It sounds as though you either have a bad alternator or something is draining the battery while the car is not running (i.e. at night).

If it's the alternator (device used to run the electonics and charge the battery while the car is running) then you should be able to find a used/remanufactured one for a decent price installed, maybe ~$150 - $200.

If it's some phantom power drain the fix is cheaper just harder to track down. Something could be "running" / drawing charge when it's not supposed to be. Added any new devices recently like power amps, stereo equipment, car alarms, LCD screens in the headrests...?

Good luck, keep us posted.

[94_240sx]

it may be the alternator!

If you can start your car with a new battery, disconnect the batter cable while it's running. If it stay running, your alternator is good. If not, yes, alternator needs to be replaced.

[AE86Gio15]

If you can start your car with a new battery, disconnect the batter cable while it's running. If it stay running, your alternator is good. If not, yes, alternator needs to be replaced.

try avoiding this technique of testing the alternator due to the fact that it can be potentially harmful to the voltage regulator. it really sounds like your car has some kind of parasitic draw when it is off. if it is an issue with the alternator than the car would have shut off while running, not just die over night.

[Eikon]

Cindy.. Do I remember something about a cigarette lighter that you were missing and just got a new one?? If I'm right on that, perhaps the cig. lighter isn't wired correctly or has a short and is actually drawing a continuous current.

I agree with the previous posts.. sounds like a continuous draw while the car is resting at night. My exp. with alternators is that a bad one will make it hard to drive the car for very long because it will drain the battery completely while driving and the car will shut down on the road. If that is not happening.. your alternator should be ok.

[wirelessalpha]

wow...post starts at 2:55AM Est time and already this many responses....

sheesh...although I'd like to attribute that to the constantly growing vert family....but...

Something tells me that I might get the same results if I were a cute blond with a damn nice avatar.

hmmm....i should change my avatar....

[wirelessalpha]

seriously though:

I had a similar problem with my battery - although it was race size. So having my alarm on for 2 days or so without driving the car would drain it. Over time - my battery eventually died and never came back. I did what you did first: tried to recharge it for a day. Recharging a battery shouldnt take more than a few hours - and honestly, I don't think it's even worth it. I just did it b/c I was too lazy to go down to my local pep boys. You can walk in with your battery and they will test it for free (or autozone or whatever) and do it on the spot usually.

This I know sounds totally wrong - but, have you tried using another battery? Like - maybe get someone nice enough to swap yours out for a quick test?

If you don't think this is the case - then I agree with Eikon. Something seems to be drawing power so I don't think its the alt.

Quick test1. Drop a fresh battery in there and see what happens.2. If that thing cranks - Drive it around for about 30 minutes.3. Park it - turn the ignition off. Do you hear anything still running? Like the engine fan? instead of the cigarette lighter - put in a cell phone charger that lights up when power is available. Is the light still on?

[S-13]

a simple way to check if your alternator is charging your battery properly is to check the voltage output at your battery terminal with the engine running (idle) using a Digital multimeter. An acceptable range should read mid to high 13Volts for stock alternator applications without too many accessories turned on.

[cparker]

Okay well, you are all RIGHT!!!! I did charge the battery overnight and it still died again so now the car is in the shop, and they have established that the alternator is good!

It is electrical and they are looking for the problem! It's going to cost about $75.00 an hour to have them look for it, so I hope it shows up fairly quickly!!!!

I will definately let everyone know what it was...I personally think it is the alarm somehow!

Once it is up and running I am going to wash it up pretty and put the BOOT (which arrived a couple of days ago) on it and get some pictures!!!! I am BIG time looking forward to that!!!!

Something tells me that I might get the same results if I were a cute blond with a damn nice avatar.

Oh and I went paragliding the other day WOW!!!! And I was considering changing my avatar to a pic of that but I think I will take your advice and leave my avatar alone

[cparker]

OUCH!!!!! $500.00 later ...they found the problem and fixed it. Wires in my driver's side door were shorting out and causing the issue. I guess this took 6 hours to find at $75.00 an hour... sigh...I really need to know more about cars!

The good news is I had the boot cover on the car today and it looks GREAT!!!! I tried to take pics but the batteries in the camera needed recharging...what IS it with batteries in important things needing to be charged around here???? Ummmmm.... on second thought...don't answer that

I will take pics tomorrow if it is sunny enough to take the roof down (although the last couple of days have been kinda rainy!!! )

[Eikon]

OUCH is right! That sucks!

6 hours to find a short huh? That's too bad. I'd like to say we could have helped you through that and saved you some money... but probably not. Tracing bad wiring is a really difficult and tedious job. Guess you'll have to chalk it up to bad luck and move on.

Can't wait to see pics of the 'vert with the boot on!

[honeybus]

OUCH!!!!! $500.00 later ...they found the problem and fixed it. Wires in my driver's side door were shorting out and causing the issue. I guess this took 6 hours to find at $75.00 an hour...

Crazy ! ! ! I paid $195 for a mechanic tell me that #1 Fuel Injector was bad.

Then a pair of mechanics, in tandem, cost me another $190 to tell me that my battery was bad and I needed a new starter ! ! ! ONLY THEN would they start to diagnose my real problem ! !

Mechanical note: Disconnect the battery ground wire at the battery terminal. If you get a spark when you touch the battery ground wire to the battery post ground terminal, then you have current running through the system and will be drawing down your battery.

[ishkabibble]

what IS it with batteries in important things needing to be charged around here???? Ummmmm.... on second thought...don't answer that

Wow... sounds like Greg really does need to make a trip out there.

[mrk442]

J/K

Just FYI for future reference i have had good results by pulling fuses 1 by 1 and checking for the current draw to stop and then looking at the FSM or manual to find what is on that fuse and going from there...

Glad you got it fixed though and i hope your happy with the boot i sent maybe its just me but considering the car lived in phoenix its whole life "until i brought it to Tucson" i am willing to bet that boot has only seen daylight maybe 5 times because the sun down here loves to destroy things like that!

especially since it looks like the snaps to connect the boot have been missing from my car "shell" for quite a while lol

Matt

[wirelessalpha]

yeah - but honestly, not many mechanics can even trouble shoot electrical problems nor want to. Jeez, I can't even begin to count the number of really good head porters, engine builders, dyno junkies I know that are terrific at their craft and car building in general....but wouldn't dare touch anything electrical or electronic.

Don't sweat the cost - I've spent more on that on dumb stuff and I'm sure everyone else here has at one time or another.

As for the "experience" in learning about cars - I mean cmon, you can't pick up everything overnight. Look at me for example...I've been modding cars and such since HS (I'm 28 now) and I still can't put a motor together from scratch or without help. Bolt ons, no problemo. Electrical - I'm actually pretty decent at wiring stuff and putting electronic **** together (full system..etc). Brakes, wheels, suspension settings..etc - yeah, I can do all that. But motor work or motor install? I don't go near it without someone guiding me. But that will change....OVER time....

[cparker]

yeah - but honestly, not many mechanics can even trouble shoot electrical problems nor want to.

Yeah I've heard that since, so I guess it is good to know these guys! At first I felt like I could have POSSIBLY been ripped off...however I've talked to a couple of guys (and my dad) who say, it's tough finding electrical problems and they were impressed that they had it fixed in one day! Now I am just glad it is back up and running!!!! I can't wait to drive it all the way to Lac La Hache this weekend (about a 6 hour drive) and hopefully the weather will be getting better and better as I drive further and further toward the interior...because it is rainy and yucky here adn I just want to put the boot on and get some pics!!!!

Just FYI for future reference i have had good results by pulling fuses 1 by 1 and checking for the current draw to stop and then looking at the FSM or manual to find what is on that fuse and going from there...

I don't have an owner's manual for my car - will have to go searching for one of those I guess! Especially since I want to learn more DIY stuff!

and i hope your happy with the boot i sent maybe its just me but considering the car lived in phoenix its whole life "until i brought it to Tucson" i am willing to bet that boot has only seen daylight maybe 5 times because the sun down here loves to destroy things like that! Matt

ABSOLUTELY THRILLED with the boot Matt!!!! I cleaned it up with a very special cleaner (not armour all - because it would eventually wreck it!) and it is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I had one day where I actually could put the boot on and I cleaned the car too but the camera wasn't working!!! Batteries!!!! It was evening and the sun was going down and the pics would have been SOOOOOO good too!!!!! I will get some pics as soon as the rain stops!!!!!!

Don't sweat the cost - I've spent more on that on dumb stuff and I'm sure everyone else here has at one time or another.

I've already forgotten....what money????? Yeah right!!!!

As for the "experience" in learning about cars - I mean cmon, you can't pick up everything overnight.

You ROCK for saying that!!! I am happy picking up knowledge here and there and I totally know that I am SO far away from where you guys/gals are are at!!!! I will never be a total DIY girl since I just don't know enough, nor do I currently have the time (little guy and work and such) but it is so very cool to have this site to go through and see all the work you all do...I am in awe...all the time!!!!!

If I ever DO end up with a b/f he will definately be forced into reading this site!!! Like it or not!!!!

[biggie]

It is true about picking up the car stuff quickly. I don't consider myself an expert at all, and I've owned a S13 for almost 12 years now.

[AE86Gio15]

yeah - but honestly, not many mechanics can even trouble shoot electrical problems nor want to. Jeez, I can't even begin to count the number of really good head porters, engine builders, dyno junkies I know that are terrific at their craft and car building in general....but wouldn't dare touch anything electrical or electronic.

Don't sweat the cost - I've spent more on that on dumb stuff and I'm sure everyone else here has at one time or another.

As for the "experience" in learning about cars - I mean cmon, you can't pick up everything overnight. Look at me for example...I've been modding cars and such since HS (I'm 28 now) and I still can't put a motor together from scratch or without help. Bolt ons, no problemo. Electrical - I'm actually pretty decent at wiring stuff and putting electronic **** together (full system..etc). Brakes, wheels, suspension settings..etc - yeah, I can do all that. But motor work or motor install? I don't go near it without someone guiding me. But that will change....OVER time....

see this is why so many people love Powerzamcam, we do it all. I am a wiring freak, it's my favorite thing to do. chi have you seen the wire tuck i started doing on chris orso's vert?

[wirelessalpha]

AE86 - no, I gotta check it out. I'll see you next week wed dude and show me what you did.

Ok - no more thread jack!

[wirelessalpha]

You ROCK for saying that!!!

oh you know it. And guess what? I wanna ROCKKKKK with you too!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLL nightttttttttttttttttt

[wirelessalpha]

How old is your kid? I got 2 brats, 4 and 3. I love them to def though.

I caught the older one wearing my helmet today, sitting in my bed saying

"look mommy - im drifting! drifting! like daddy"

oh my freakin god man, I was shedding tears. Sons are cool.

[cparker]

I caught the older one wearing my helmet today, sitting in my bed saying "look mommy - im drifting! drifting! like daddy"oh my freakin god man, I was shedding tears. Sons are cool.

OMG how COOL is THAT?!?!?!?! Your little ones are at a GREAT age...they will continue to surprise the heck out of you with what they will say and do!!!! My little guy is 8 (handsome as they come already) and is totally into my car!!!! ACTUALLY he is the one that has "spotted" the other Nissan 240sx convertibles here in Surrey FIRST (before I saw them!!!) He get's all excited and says "MOM ANOTHER ONE!!!!!" and I know EXACTLY what he means...he can spot them out when they are MILES away!!!!!

Actually he's pretty into cars overall although he just got a new bike...so well...that is getting all the attention right now!!!! Including a FAB racing helmut...he looks like a drifter!!! In FACT he told me what drifting was...BEFORE I found you guys (nicoclub) and he knew that the 240sx was a drifter... WHAT THE HECK?!?!?! HOW'D he KNOW that?!?!?!

How old is your kid? I got 2 brats, 4 and 3. I love them to def though.

Yeah... I know the feeling