Is my car possessed!?!?
While I was diriving on the highway, my radio, HVAC blower, Escort radar detector (hard wired) and Magellan (plugged into by cig. lighter) stopped working for a few seconds. While I was trying to figure out exactly what was going on, they came back on.

Then after 10 or so minutes, it happened again. This time longer, so I was able to notice that more things were not functioning. In all, my interior lights (dash, three-gauge cluster too digital display too), radio, HVAC blower, & cig. lighter stopped working. In addition, my low tire pressure warning light came on. No other warning lights were on (e.g., slip), just the low tire pressure light.

I thought it was interesting the the amber lights on my HVAC controls (e.g., AC indicator) were functioning/lit. Also, the HVAC controls worked, as I was able to turn my AC on/off, and adjust the air flow, just no HVAC fan/blower.

As I was on the highway during a BRIGHT day, I was unable to determine if any of my exterior lights were impacted as well.

After I tried to go through what it could be, I had a slight panic. I was concerned that I may not be able to start my car after arriving my destiination. For some reason, I decided to wiggle my key gently (I was seriously thinking of shutting my car off and attempt to restart it while coasting-crazy thought I could use the clutch to force start her...). Anyhow, as soon as I touched the key enough for one 'wiggle' everything turned back on! I'm not sure if that was a STANGE coincidence or what.

Anywho, after searching and searching, I have no luck in finding someone who has posted something like this. Sure, there are interior light posts, and radio issues gallore, but I could not find anything with EVERYTHING I experienced today.

As of now, I haven't checked the car out. I'll go through ALL the fuses when I get back home (I'm out of town now). I was posting not, as I am wondering if anyone has had this or heard of something like this.

Thanks!

 

could be a bad ground.

 

I'm heading home in a few minutes. I'll see if it happens again during the two hour drive home. When I get home I plan on checking all the fuses.

When I was searching I ran across a few threads that mentioned a bad BCM. Could this be related to what I am experiencing?

Thanks again!

 

I pulled every fuse inside my car (near kick plate), checked the battery connection, and the fusible links off the ground and nada. Nothing seemed wrong.

Anyone else have an idea as to where else I should look.

Also, not sure if was clear about this, but the two times it happened yesterday, it came and went. Now, my car is running fine.

I just want to be proactive, rather than reactve.

Any insight/help would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Are you the original owner and/or do you know if any rewiring has been performed? Can you check to see if there are any CEL codes (the CEL light might not be on but you may still have stored codes)?

It sounds like a faulty ignition switch based on what you described. You can probably pick one up cheap from a junk yard.

 

I've experienced a similar problem that just started today. I went to start my car, all the warning lights came on as usual then all of a sudden all of the power went off.

I waited about a minute, then it started no problem.

Once I arrived at work, I turned it off then tried to turn it on again to see if I would have the same problem. Power was all off again. I waited about 2-3 minutes, and I noticed the windows went back up as they should when you close the door, and I was able to arm my car again..............I'm not too sure what could be the problem yet, I haven't checked the battery connection.

 

I am the 2nd owner, but I bought her with LOW miles and the original owner dd nothing aftermarket to the car. I, on the other hand, hard wired my Escort radar detector into the fuse box (mirror fuse, I believe), but that was over a year ago. I checked the wire to see if it could be touching another terminal/fuse slot and it was fine.

I had an issue with my CEL about a month ago. When I ran the codes, it showed only a code related to the fuel management issue I was having (had a leak in my intake....bolt was loose on my plenum after spacer install). I will check again! Will these stored codes show when I do that Technosquare code DIY or is this something that I should consider using an OBDII reader from Autozone or the stealership?

Is there any EASY way to check the ignition switch? And is partial power loss (or I guess, "blocking", since the fault must be telling the car that it is OFF) a symptom of this?

Thanks, RC!

RX_AGENT,
So your power loss is only at start-up? I only ask because when I had my G35, I recall a thread or two about a couple G's that hard "hot start" issues (I think that's what they called it, something about only having the issue when the car had heat in the angine bay).

 

Yeah, nvm, it was simply a loose battery terminal, I have not really checked much myself ever since I bought the car about a month ago.

Too bad your problem wasn't as easy as mine, good luck with it tho.

 

Short circuit? Ground problem? M'fraid it's auto electrical shop time!

 

dont know if this helps or not but a few months ago i hardwired my radar to the homelink, during the winter months the suction cups tend to fall alot, after the 2nd and 3rd fall i guess the part where i splice it was starting to short. well a month after that my whole entire interiors lights went off on me while driving, thats include the ac lights, homelink, and the 3 gauges on top of the console. well thinking that it wasnt a big deal i continue driving it for an hour or so. while on the road my car start to jerk and then my car just shut off.

i check around and found that the interior fuse or radio fuse somehting like that was blown. replaced it and rewired homelink radar hardwired and that seemed to fix it.

like you posted that you check the fuses.... well might wanna check again.

 

oh overlooked the part that you didnt check the fuses... well look in the manual and it will tell you which fuse is the radio fuse. its located near the clutch or brake pedal to the left.

 

All my fuses, battery connections, and relays seemed good. My radar detector's suction cups do fail a few times a year and did last month. I'll check out the wiring and look for exposed wires. I'll also double check my fuses.

BTW, I have my radar detector tired into the mirror fuse slot right now.

As of now, I haven't had any issues with my Z since Saturday. Oh, one thing, and I'm not sure if this is a cause or contributing factor, but it was the hottest day in Indiana that day, so I had my AC on high. Also, had my radar detector and Magellan on (using car's power). Any chance that means anything?

Thanks guys!

 

Still no issues since the day of the incident. I'm not ruling it out as a fluke. Something CAUSED this. Maybe it was the excessive heat, perhaps it was the excessive draw on my battery (radar detector, navi, radio, AC), or the unknown, which is what I fear.

As of now, my only choice is to monitor the car and hope it doesn't happen again.

If anyone has any ideas of things I can look for now (proactive), I'm all ears!


THANKS!