Electrical Power Cutting Out

[doughboyr6]

I did a search and came out with nothing (however, my search skills suck)

I was driving yesterday night and while driving, my headlights flickered on/off along with my entire dashboard and radio console.

I thought nothing of it as it may have been just a one time thing.

Power steering/brakes were all working fine. My car still runs, doesnt stall or something. A minute or two later, it happened again and it was even bit longer, it flickered on/off really fast about 3 times and my radio cut out along with the headlights/dash. I got really scared for a moment as i had no light and was on the DVP.

It hasn't happened again. Anyone know what this is from or could be? I have a feeling it has to do with my HIDs being installed, as they have been the only part being tempered with (electrically speaking). It's never happened before in my 2 yrs of owning it and it was fine for 3 months after the HIDs installed.

[b]

When my engine was installed they didn't tighten down the ground and the same shit happened. Everything would flicker then eventually it would start shutting off and I would restart and drive... flicker... shut down... restart... etc.

Maybe your ground has come loose... or... maybe I don't have a clue and am no help at all...

Hope you figure it out!

[doughboyr6]

but my car never actually shuts down, just the headlights/dash/radio flicker and cut in/out

[Flagrum_3]

but my car never actually shuts down, just the headlights/dash/radio flicker and cut in/out


I think B is basically telling you that whomever installed your HIDs screwed up the install so take it back to them and have it fixed....and keep us posted!


_3



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[PlatMS6]

Did you check if there was a spaceship above you? jks... check the grounds, and check over the HID install...if a shop did it, they should check it over free of charge

[doughboyr6]

i've got new problems now.....

the previously mentioned incident hasnt reoccured...but something new has happened.

the car won't start...

it all started last friday....i came out, clutch in, turned the key...nothing. No engine noise at all, nothing. I popped the hood, didn't know what i was doing, so i did nothing and closed the hood....then it started. All radio, clock, trip meter reset. But anyhow, my car was running, that's all i cared...

Next day...samething. Came out in the morning, clutch in, turned key, nothing. Same routine, and it started.

And it was fine for a few days and the car functioned as normal, up until Thursday night. Same problem. I followed the same routine and it started, once again, it reset all my radio stations/trip meter...

Today, Saturday. Did it to me while i was at the gas station filling gas. Cluth in, turned key, nothing, BUT it did something unusual and that was that it did the needle/tach dance. all the needles sprung up and back down....Kinda cool, but unusual. I followed the same routine and it finally started.

Its getting really teadius now....anyone have any ideas

[doughboyr6]

btw, they want to charge me $95 for the diagnosis....so before i opt for that, i jsut want to see if anyone might know and can save me $95...i'll probably be bringing it back to the HID install place, but i have a feeling they'll say it was nothing to do with their work.

[Wild Weasel]

It still sounds like a loose ground somewhere.

When the lights and what not flickered, it was likely breaking the connection but then falling back into place.

Same thing could happen when it wouldn't start. Dropping the hood could have caused whatever wire is loose to make contact again. If the wire in question is touching the connection but not securely attached, these symtoms would be likely.

Are you coming to the bbq tomorrow? Perhaps some of the members who know where the connections are will be able to give them the once-over.

[CoolColombian]

+1, It might be the negative terminal in the battery, check if is tight, if not there you go, get a wrench and tight it and see if it works. ;)

[doughboyr6]

yes i'll be at the bbq....i've got some of the raffle tickets....thanx guys for your help, i really hope its just as minor as that....i was really getting worried that i've really fugged up my electrical stuff by having HIDs installed.

[Wild Weasel]

Well I myself won't be of much help there, as I've barely opened the hood on my 3, but with half the population of Toronto showing up, surely someone will know where to look. :chuckle

Anyone bringing tools?

[b]

Freddie. I was away for a while last minute. Did everything get sorted out?

[Wild Weasel]

I have no idea who he was at the bbq but nobody asked me to look at an engine. :)

Heck, I brought tools just in case. :chuckle