Hello all,
Here are my problems, which seem to be electrical.
About 9 months ago, I noticed that my rear wipers would jump when I turned my foglights on. I researched and found info regarding problems with the foglight switch and the "ground issue" with the rear washer fluid pump. I changed the switch, and did the ground issue workaround for the wiper. This did not work. I also noticed that about the same time, my abs light and the brake light would come on occassionally. Then my dash blinker indicators would light up very dimmly, not on or full bright, just like a slight glow. So I then disconnected the ground for the wiper pump (fixed the wiper jump, but left the rear washer pump disabled). The abs and brake lights did not come on for some time, but the dash indicator lights did the glow thing very regularly. I then researched some more and found some mention of the grounds that are on the chassis and how they can cause problems. I was unable to find anyone who could actually pinpoint to me the ground locations, so I did not really do anything with this theory. Since I had no real issues (car stalling or lights not working), I kind of forgot about the problem.
BUT......last night, a whole new chapter!!! Last night my car did some very, very weird stuff. I had come out of a friends house and started my truck. It started fine, then all of a sudden it just died. I did notice that the abs and brake light had come on just before the car actually shut off (maybe 30 seconds). I restarted, pulled out onto the street and the car died again. I thought that since my low fuel light had just come on, and I was on a slight incline, that the fuel may have be the issue. So as it died a third time I sat on the side of the road for a few minutes, trying to start all the while, but nothing. It just cranked and cranked. Then finally, it started and I got rolling for 10 feet then it died again. Luckily, the gas station was right there literally. I got into the station, added some fuel, and tried to restart. No luck. Then after about 10 minutes it started. I drove it 30feet then it died. I ended up calling for a tow, and while I waited I noticed these weird happenings.
- My rear turn signals would not blink when I turned the hazards on. the rear brake light was blinking instead
- my front turn signals were very dim
- sometimes the key-in-ignition chime would sound, and sometimes not.
Then, as I sat still waiting for the tow, it dawned on me that the truck initially stalled as soon as I turned on my foglights!! So, I then started the truck up, let it run for a good 5 minutes, then I hit the foglight. Whamo! the truck stalled, and would not restart for 3 minutes. I got it back running, then the tow came. Once I got back home and unloaded the truck, I started the car, and parked it. No problems.
Forward to Next morning: I go out to my truck, start it up and let it run. check fuel flow by gassing throttle. looking for sputtering or hesitation. Nothing unusual. Then, I hit the foglight. BOOM! Dead again! But this time, the car restarts immediately and continues to run. So, I go to the dealer for advice. One of the techs suspects the altenator (i also suspected the voltage regulater, given my past quirks with the dash lights). I leave there, grab a new battery, just in case, and head home to replace that. I can not replace the alternator today because of the bad weather. But, I have started, restarted, and restarted the car over again over the course of the day. No issues, even with the fog light!
Forward to today: I get in the truck, start her up and take of to work. All seems fine until 1/4 mile later. BOOM, it dies! I coast off the road into a parking lot. Crank, crank and crank, until finally it starts, but not for long. I try again, and it thankfully stayed running for me to get home. I sit infront of my house debating on taking a chance at getting to work. Oh hell, why not. Its sunday and no traffic. I hit the highway and fortunately make it to work without a hitch.
So here I am! At work ready to tackle this beast. Now I need some advice and help on this. Can anyone give me some insight as to where I should begin? Before that, can you guys tell me
- where the chassis grounds are
- what could be the cause of the quirky electrical issue
Thanks way in advance.