Many electrical systems failing

[ceningolmo]

Hey guys... sorry if this is a repost, but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for in my search.

I took my car to Circuit City to have a remote starter installed (early Christmas present). They installed the starter and it works great. Unfortunately, a few electrical bugs popped up when I picked up the car.

The first thing I noticed is that the "Antilock" light is on in the dash. I then noticed that the rear turn signals were no longer working. I noticed these while still in the parking lot and brough the car back in to them. The tech couldn't get the problem fixed immediately, so he asked me to bring it in to let the manager work on it today. The list of electronic failures has grown steadily, and the manager has suggested that Circuit City pay to have my local Infiniti dealership fix it.

At this point, the following things are no longer working.Horn is non-operational.Turn signals, front and back, are not operational.Cruise control is not operational.Heated mirrors are not operational.Headlights are not operational.Running lights are not operational.Seat/Steering wheel retraction upon exit is no longer operational.Brights will flash, but will not stay on in the "bright" position and the indicator for brights on the dash is not opearational.

To be honest... it sounds like this is probably a simple fix that is just elusive. Maybe a ground fault problem, or some sort of a short in the system?

Anyone had any experience with this type of an issue?

[squeefoo]

All those systems look like they would be connected to "installing" a remote starter/alarm. If you really want it on there let them pay for the Dealer fix.

I've noticed when these places install something it's usually a real hack job. Those people they hire to install stereos, speakers, ETC. Don't have any real experience taking things apart more complicated/sophisticated than a '87 Dodge Omni.

Total hack jobs on anything I've ever encountered. Now you know too...

[nchopp]

Indeed, definitely got screwed over by the Circuit City folks. They're just as bad as the ones at Best Buy.

[elwesso]

Ross i bet theres a fuse blown, have you checked your fuses?? Ill be honest, ive had a HELL of a time diagnosing electrical problems on the Q..... I still have a non functional cruise control!!!

it almost sounds like they knocked out everything on the interior..... check your fuses, and then if some are blown replae them, if they blow again then they REALLY screwed stuff up.

[ceningolmo]

I checked the installation, and it didn't look like they did anything too crazy. And, I used to work in a car audio installation shop, so I sort of know my way around that stuff. There weren't any weird splices... no hard wire to fuze box... no jacking straight off of other electrical systems.

But, they do need to get in to the dash to do the installation... and, I think we all know that the Q can be a bit...well, sensitive.

[ceningolmo]

They spent about 6 hours going over the electrical system trying to find where it is shorting out. Basically they took a voltmeter and tested one circuit at a time looking for a short. When I took the car back this evening they thought that they had it narrowed down to one of the circuits in the steering column. And, the way the car is wired through a whole bunch of "senders" and "flashers" it wouldn't seem unreasonable for one system crash to knock out a series of other systems.

I am hoping that someone else has encountered something similar and found out how to diagnose/fix it.

[elwesso]

Ross if youd like (doesnt look like were getting anywhere decisive here) i can move this to the electronics forum.... Just saythe word man

[ceningolmo]

To be honest, I posted it here because I am most familiar with this forum. I know a few of the Q regulars, but don't know many of the other forums.

If you think I am likely to find some answers in that forum... then please, move it.

[elwesso]

Alright we'll give this a try!!!

[PoorManQ45]

Hey, you know what?

This sounds exactly like the case of the 14 year old car!

Hahahhaha, Q45s are total lemons

[ceningolmo]

Thanks, that was a ton of help PMQ! Any other helpful advice?