Car Problem Help - Think I Have a Short (1 Viewer)

[russinfortworth]

2008 Lincoln MKX - 110K miles

Last November while driving to work, the radio turned off and on.  Was off for about 5 seconds (I actually thought the station went off air, but the radio did not show a channel/time/etc).  Did not happen again until 2 weeks later.  Did it again multiple times, and then the "low tire pressure" indicator came on, and then all the following came on the "slippery" indicator, "check brakes" indicator, "bright lights" lights indicator, and "door open" indicator, plus signal lights not working.  Got to work, looked for local garage, and made an appointment.  Went out to drive car to garage, and none of the lights were on as well as radio.  Had them do a diagnostic, and they couldn't find anything.  Had them reset the computer. And they said if it happens again, bring it in. 

For 3 months, nothing.  Then this morning, same thing happens.  Turned car off when I got to work, immediately restarted, and all the lights and radio came back on. 

Any ideas other than "take it in" / "buy new car" / etc.

Fuse?

Wiring?

 

[IC FBGCav]

2008 Lincoln MKX - 110K miles

Last November while driving to work, the radio turned off and on.  Was off for about 5 seconds (I actually thought the station went off air, but the radio did not show a channel/time/etc).  Did not happen again until 2 weeks later.  Did it again multiple times, and then the "low tire pressure" indicator came on, and then all the following came on the "slippery" indicator, "check brakes" indicator, "bright lights" lights indicator, and "door open" indicator, plus signal lights not working.  Got to work, looked for local garage, and made an appointment.  Went out to drive car to garage, and none of the lights were on as well as radio.  Had them do a diagnostic, and they couldn't find anything.  Had them reset the computer. And they said if it happens again, bring it in. 

For 3 months, nothing.  Then this morning, same thing happens.  Turned car off when I got to work, immediately restarted, and all the lights and radio came back on. 

Any ideas other than "take it in" / "buy new car" / etc.

Fuse?

Wiring?

Fuse would not short then come back on, it would blow.  I would think it was a loose connection with wiring but I am not a mechanic but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[Cjw_55106]

Not a lot of help here, but a short is a ##### for the mechanics to find. 

 

[BowieMercs]

Check the battery ground cable on both ends. A flaky ground can cause all kinds of issues.

 

[Doug B]

A dying alternator can run your battery down to the point where your car's electrical power is intermittent. But three months would be a long time to not notice anything wrong after symptoms first appeared. Normally with a dying alternator, you'd notice the radio "warbling"/cutting out ... and then at best you'd have a day or two before the battery dies on you completely.

A long shot, but: has anything happened to your car that may be running the battery way down anytime your car was parked for several hours (overnight, or at work during the day)? Could be something obvious (leaving headlights on overnight) or small and easily missed (brake pedal sensor shot and brake lights stay on dimly). What could be happening is that your battery keeps getting knocked down to, say, 20% every time it's parked for a while -- barely enough to start the engine, but low enough to start noticing wonkiness with the radio, lights, etc. Then, if you drive around for a while (is your commute long?), your alternator is working to charge the battery back up enough to stave off the issue for a time.

Of course, a short or loose connection would be a more likely cause for the same symptoms. Needs to be professionally checked out ... and not all automotive shops are good with electrical work. It's kind of a specialty ... might have to ask around.

 

[Doug B]

Check the battery ground cable on both ends. A flaky ground can cause all kinds of issues.

Good point -- would make the alternator recharging a lot less reliable.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Check the battery ground cable on both ends. A flaky ground can cause all kinds of issues.

Trying to find a bad ground sucks. 

My wifes honda pilot was having radio and maintenance light issues. We did replace the fuse ( there were two fuses in two different places). They did not appear bad, but i tried a new one in each anyway and it fixed the problem. 

 

[russinfortworth]

Took it into a different shop after work and they ran the diagnostics.

They "rebooted" it to make sure it was clear, and now we'll wait to see if it happens again. 

Drove all the way home today (35 miles) and nothing, absolutely nothing.  So weird.

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[zeamax]

I've heard these new cars can have more than one ground too.

 

[belljr]

So some what related.

I had a wire in my traverse that lead to the lift gate.   I would drive and the entire dash board would turn off. Come back on go off.

They couldn't find anything at first. Driving off lot it does it. They take it back.

Turns out that wire had a little too much of the wire exposed and when it would randomly touch metal it would short out

 

[belljr]

Trying to find a bad ground sucks. 

My wifes honda pilot was having radio and maintenance light issues. We did replace the fuse ( there were two fuses in two different places). They did not appear bad, but i tried a new one in each anyway and it fixed the problem. 

The new fuses work because it "resets" the circuit.  The problem could crop up again

 

[RokNRole]

The real FBG move is to just buy a new car.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

If not fuses, then have them check the transverse coupler, and if not the transverse coupler have them run a diagnostic on the vestibular carbuncle.

 

[ragincajun]

First check your grounds.  Look for a wiring schematic if your car and it should show you the points where it is grounded to the frame, etc

I assume your terminals are clean, i.e. Shiny?

Battery cables can corrode from the inside out from what I am told but I have never experienced that myself.

Could be a fuse or a relay

Electric issues are a PITA.  I just finished fixing mine.  

 

[ragincajun]

Checked battery under load to ensure there is not a bad cell?

Is there a security light or key light flashing?  If so could be something with the transmitter in your key.  Try the spare.  Long shot.....