Complete electrical failure

[rossb]

OK first off my problem is very similar to AlphaAssault's problem posted here. Basically nothing at all works with the key in the ignition, no lights, no radio nothing. It's like the roll-over/front end collision kill switch was tripped(if our cars even have one). But theres a difference between his problem and mine(or at least how it happened).

OK so yesterday I go to start my car and it doesn't start, but all the electrical stuff works fine(lights radio etc.). I don't here the starter clicking at all, all i here is a single click from under the dashboard/firewall area(it can be heard outside the car as well). So my dad an I replaced the starter hoping that was the problem, and it wasn't. All the electrical stuff still works fine after the install, but still no start. Then my dad notices a "loose" wire under the dash by the clutch he "fixes" it and asks me to try again and now nothing works at all. He tried undoing it, no go.

I know the battery isn't the problem because I tried a known good one and nothing electrical worked. Also please don't go " ALTERNATOR!!!" like in Alpha's thread because the accessories are powered from the battery when the car is not running. Also all the fuses looked good both under the dash and hood.

Any ideas?

 

[djjohns55]

Have you checked the ignition switch?

 

[rossb]

I don't think it's the ignition switch because stuff that should work without the key being in(emergency flashers and interior lights) do no work.

 

[awdtsi724]

bump start the car and let it run for a while turn it off and see if it starts back up

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

charge the battery real well, or try a known good battery.. you need to check all the relays.. there are a couple of main relays in the car that do alot of stuff, like control the fuel pump and ecu.. You may want to pull the ecu open and check that as well for burn marks or leaking caps..

If all else fails, then do what any electrician does in this situation.. Start tracing wires.. Look for burned or frayed wires, etc.. Other than that, there is nothing else to do.. I would start with the battery, then the main relays, though..

 

[rossb]

I know the battery isn't the problem because I tried a known good one and nothing electrical worked. Also all the fuses looked good both under the dash and hood.

Also the ECU is freashly rebuilt and still under warentee has one of those sticker things on it so I can't open it up. Even if it was the ECU things like the lights would still work. So basically is there a fuse/relay that isn't located with the other main fuses/relays?

 

[BootlegGreg]

Sounds to me like a bad ground wire somewhere. Take a multi meter and see if the positive cable on the batt has 12v. So touch the cable with the red lead and ground the black lead on the meter to any good ground not hooked up to the batt. I will bet you it will read maybe 8v because one of your grounds needs to be replaced form corrosion.