No Electronics (radio, lights, cluster, top) - No Blown Fuses

[onosqv]

** EDIT: Issue solved, see reply below **

I'm completely lost. I was just driving back to work after lunch today & all of my electronics cut out on the freeway -> analog speedo gauge went "off the charts" (currently pointed as if my car was going past 110mph), then nothing:

What doesn't work:- No radio- No gauge cluster lighting/speedo - tach still works from what I remember- no interior lights- no parking lights- no top operation (you can hear it click when I press top up/down, but doesn't actually engage)- no power door locks- no power windows- no alternator charge - car starts & stays @ 12v <- could this be it? Never had an alternator go out before, but I would imagine I should still have interior lights/radio access etc off the battery when the car is in the ON position.

What does work:- Car starts & drives- headlights work

What I checked:- No blown fuses in fuse box on driver side kick panel- No blown fuses in fuse box in engine bay

I have no clue where to check next, I'm completely lost.

Thanks for any help!
Modified by brokeAs240sx at 11:10 AM 7/4/2008

[Goldeneagle]

Have the alternator checked out. Almost everything you mentioned, that does not work, runs off of the alternator.

When you get the chance, turn the headlights on, without the key in the ignition. If the headlights turn on your battery is still good. From there the next thing to check is the alternator.

[onosqv]

Just had a chance to look closer.

Alternator fuse is blown. Headlights turn on - Battery is still @ 12v.

Time to replace teh alternator fuse - but would that fuse cause everything to not work? i.e. like a Nissan fail-safe mode or something?

hopefully it's just a fuse. I don't feel like doing the alternator again.

[onosqv]

Well, it is the alternator fuse as well as alternator. The electrical stuff that goes off is because of the alternator fuse.

replacement fuse blew, alternator smokes a bit w/ fuse in b4 it blows, so I'm like wtf? Is my alternator out now, dammit.

Figured it all out after taking the alternator out today.

Upper radiator hose had a very small leak, which must have gotten worse over time, drenched the alternator, and boom.

Now I'm off to the store for an alternator & radiator hoses & gotta find me a fuse.

Thanks for the help.

[Goldeneagle]

Well, it is the alternator fuse as well as alternator. The electrical stuff that goes off is because of the alternator fuse.

replacement fuse blew, alternator smokes a bit w/ fuse in b4 it blows, so I'm like wtf? Is my alternator out now, dammit.

Figured it all out after taking the alternator out today.

Upper radiator hose had a very small leak, which must have gotten worse over time, drenched the alternator, and boom.

Now I'm off to the store for an alternator & radiator hoses & gotta find me a fuse.

Thanks for the help.

Ah...the joys of fluid leaks that have yet to be discovered.

[s13-t]

same damn thing happened to me. i lucked out though cause i had an alternater from less than a year ago so the shop gave me a new one for free, and i swapped pullys and i was good to go