Short issue.... : (
#1
Short issue.... : (
So this all started with trying to bring the Zx back to life after my in-laws tried to kill it. So, I was replacing the steering colum, trying to fix the wiring on it. Well, the hubby got everything back together, or so he thought, everything was working fine, except the excess horsepower gage. So he put a jumper wire on it, and something shorted out ( loud high pitched, moaning squel, from around the middle of the engine, behind the distributor area). Now, the check lamp relay engages the dummy lights when the engine was running. (The radiator, brake and washer fluid idiot lights constantly on >.<!) But the car is operating normally, just wondering if anyone knows what could have possibly shorted out?
#2
say what?
excess horsepower gauge? Do you mean the turbo gauge? never heard it called that before. But anyway! Sounds like your alternator went **** up, that squeal was either the pulley/belt or bearing/pulley/belt saying it had enough, all the idiot lights on point to an under current problem. Here's how ya test it. 1. Test the voltage between the terminals of the battery when car is off.
2. Write it down on a piece of paper.
3. Start car
4. Test between battery terminals again
5. Write down results on same piece of paper
If first number is less than 12.2 vdc you will need to charge your battery
If second number is NOT greater than first number you will need new Alternator; it should read about 13.5 vdc.
2. Write it down on a piece of paper.
3. Start car
4. Test between battery terminals again
5. Write down results on same piece of paper
If first number is less than 12.2 vdc you will need to charge your battery
If second number is NOT greater than first number you will need new Alternator; it should read about 13.5 vdc.
#3
The excess horse power gage is on the digital dash, it's a non turbo... it's good for things like optimizing gas mileage, and knowing how much *** you have left in the pedal. I will try this however, it didn't sound like a belt. It didn't even come from the front of the engine.
#5
Originally Posted by inqui-Z-tor
LOL .. I was expecting a thread about those of us that are 5' 5" in height!
#7
Originally Posted by johnZboy
ROTFL!!! I don't which is the most hilarious. Your comment, or, the "excess horsepower gauge".
Also, if you don't have something constructive to say please don't post here.
#9
Originally Posted by zzeeexlover
So this all started with trying to bring the Zx back to life after my in-laws tried to kill it. So, I was replacing the steering colum, trying to fix the wiring on it. Well, the hubby got everything back together, or so he thought, everything was working fine, except the excess horsepower gage. So he put a jumper wire on it, and something shorted out ( loud high pitched, moaning squel, from around the middle of the engine, behind the distributor area). Now, the check lamp relay engages the dummy lights when the engine was running. (The radiator, brake and washer fluid idiot lights constantly on >.<!) But the car is operating normally, just wondering if anyone knows what could have possibly shorted out?
So read this:
http://www.az-zbum.com/information.warning.lights.shtml
#10
Yeah I understand the concept of idiot lights. But if they're all on while the car is running something isn't right. All the things showing up on the dash are not bad, I have checked each individual one. Even checked all the sensors. I have both the original owners manual and the haynes one, and neither say what could have caused this issue. I think it could be a shorted wire somewhere in the harness, and was trying to see if someone could try to point me in the right direction.
#11
Pertinent questions...
So he put a jumper wire on it, and something shorted out ( loud high pitched, moaning squeal, from around the middle of the engine, behind the distributor area). Now, the check lamp relay engages the dummy lights when the engine was running. (The radiator, brake and washer fluid idiot lights constantly on >.<!) But the car is operating normally,
I honestly thought the "excess horsepower" gauge was nothing but a vacuum gauge and the only juice going to it was for the dash light.
Sounds a lot like you've melted the insulation off of a few related wires, and now you're getting a constant 12v across a bunch of wires in a sub-harness.
I did not intend to offend you in my reply to Quizzy. Mostly poking a little fun at him. Sorry.
Last edited by johnZboy; 08-12-2007 at 04:32 PM.
#12
Originally Posted by zzeeexlover
Yeah I understand the concept of idiot lights. But if they're all on while the car is running something isn't right. All the things showing up on the dash are not bad, I have checked each individual one. Even checked all the sensors. I have both the original owners manual and the haynes one, and neither say what could have caused this issue. I think it could be a shorted wire somewhere in the harness, and was trying to see if someone could try to point me in the right direction.
http://www.az-zbum.com/information.warning.lights.shtml
#13
Originally Posted by johnZboy
Has this "jumper" wire been disconnected? Was the "jumper" wire a full 12V positive, like straight from the battery post? Was the engine running when this "jumper" wire was connected?
I honestly thought the "excess horsepower" gauge was nothing but a vacuum gauge and the only juice going to it was for the dash light.
Sounds a lot like you've melted the insulation off of a few related wires, and now you're getting a constant 12v across a bunch of wires in a sub-harness.
I did not intend to offend you in my reply to Quizzy. Mostly poking a little fun at him. Sorry.
I honestly thought the "excess horsepower" gauge was nothing but a vacuum gauge and the only juice going to it was for the dash light.
Sounds a lot like you've melted the insulation off of a few related wires, and now you're getting a constant 12v across a bunch of wires in a sub-harness.
I did not intend to offend you in my reply to Quizzy. Mostly poking a little fun at him. Sorry.
Thanks for all the input everyone, but looks like we'll have a wonderful fun job ahead of us.
#15
We don't have a way to test the voltage right at this moment, however it has enough power to run the engine without the battery.
Took apart part of the harness today and nothing seemed out of place, but I did find out that when I took the relay out, the lights will still work normal (took washfluid out and then the light came on as normal, along with parking brake and door... ect...) But when the relay goes back in all the lights stay on.
Took apart part of the harness today and nothing seemed out of place, but I did find out that when I took the relay out, the lights will still work normal (took washfluid out and then the light came on as normal, along with parking brake and door... ect...) But when the relay goes back in all the lights stay on.
#16
quick alternator test, start car, run car disconnect ground to battery when car is running. If car immediately dies, you haven't got enough alternator juice.
PS. If car doesn't die don't reconnect battery, just turn car off before you do that, the discharge (spark) from a running alternator to the battery may cause damage.
PS. If car doesn't die don't reconnect battery, just turn car off before you do that, the discharge (spark) from a running alternator to the battery may cause damage.
#18
Originally Posted by Goofyz
quick alternator test, start car, run car disconnect ground to battery when car is running. If car immediately dies, you haven't got enough alternator juice.
PS. If car doesn't die don't reconnect battery, just turn car off before you do that, the discharge (spark) from a running alternator to the battery may cause damage.
PS. If car doesn't die don't reconnect battery, just turn car off before you do that, the discharge (spark) from a running alternator to the battery may cause damage.
Most auto parts stores have a way to test the alternator. Most can even do it on the car. Just drive up and ask someone at the help counter.
And a good test can be performed by anyone with a hand held voltmeter. The sticky in this forum explains it quite well.
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