accessories not working unless car is running

[plymouthlazer]

I was putting a 14b on my car and accidently touched a post on the alt with a wrench. it sparked and i heard a pop from over in the fuse area.

My locks, seatbelts, and windows (possibly other things) dont work unless the car is running now. Also my abs light comes on and i can feel somthing happening through my brake pedal while driving. ideas on what could be wrong?

 

[Sebba]

Check your fuses.

 

[steve]

Alternator fuse is most likely blown. It's bolted in, due to the large current rating.

 

[weaponx122412]

Agreed. Most likely the bolt on alternator fuse. But I would still take a power probe & check all the other fuses.

 

[plymouthlazer]

right on guys, it was the alt. fuse. fixed(soldered) it.

 

[tmaxx411]

thats a horrible idea.. go to the junkyard and grab one.. soldering it, its no longer a fuse.. so if something goes wrong.. it wont blow... could work for years like that, or could start an electrical fire...

 

[cophotoguy]

HEY!!! Don't solder your fuse that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

 

[honda_burner]

Its threads like this that make me hate the fact that I bought my dsm used.....

 

[cophotoguy]

Its threads like this that make me hate the fact that I bought my dsm used.....

That makes no sense, it was his fault for shorting the hot terminal on the alternator. What does that have to do with a used DSM?

 

[WES_393]

That makes no sense, it was his fault for shorting the hot terminal on the alternator. What does that have to do with a used DSM?

Because you never know if the previous owner felt like soldering the alternator fuse.

 

[steve]

Because you never know if the previous owner felt like soldering the alternator fuse.

Sooner or later you find out.

Whenever I've picked up a used car I spend the first few weeks looking for and fixing the questionable work done by others. Heck, I have to do that every time I take any car, including the ones I've owned since day one, to someone else for service.

 

[2literbeatsV8]

It's $3 for the 100amp fuse at Autozone. Buy it. Also, next time you work on your car, disconnect your negative terminal on the battery. It will keep stuff like this from happening...