Electrical Problems

[Getritch]

Hi.

Just bought a 96 eclipse RS used about a month ago when i got it, it was fine, save a few known issues. none of them electrical related.

About a week ago it rained like four days straight and on day 3, the CE light came on and stayed on, so I did the quick check and the nearest I could figure from this website was a long list of codes. 12, 32, 21, 55 the light blinked.

No idea how it could go from completely ok (mechanic checked it before purchase) to all these sensors suddenly out. Not to mention my OBDII doesnt read at Autozone or O'Rielly's. they say the reader isnt getting power. (which is why I did the turn-key method)

My rear defrost stopped working and dash lights now flicker constantly. also, A/C blower motor sounds like its struggling, and while, admittedly, that could just be the motor struggling, I cant discount the possibility that its not getting adequate power.

I'd like to test the stuff myself if I can (cause i'm cheap), but I don't know squat about repairing autos.

I'm a noob, but we all are at some point and i'm looking for instructions or advice on how to test this myself.

the car runs fine: revs smoothly to redline, clutch is stiff and responsive and it shifts quickly and smoothly.

I'm not a complete tightwad, so if the best solution is to shell out money, i guess i'll have to, but I can pay a mechanic to tell me that. I want to learn how to do this stuff if possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DanGST]

First thing when it comes to electrical is check how much voltage is the battery producing and then check if you are getting.power and ground.

 

[Getritch]

thanks. I'm going to buy a multimeter today, and i found a handy thread on how to do a quick battery and alternator check. Is there any other tool I'll need for that besides the usual wrenches etc?

 

[DanGST]

Not until you really start fixing things like engine and transmission for the size of sockets get bigger.

 

[DSMlover2011]

It a sounds like you may have a short in your wiring somewhere. Because you have many codes that normally wouldn't be related I recommend checking the wiring going to the positive termianl on your battery. If wiring is corroded and grounding out it could cause all of the symptoms you're decribing. Also, I would check the fuse for the defroster. Chances are it's blown. Good luck!

 

[d_rock10030]

+1 on the short... check for open wires and bad connections where water could have settled.

 

[pats16valve]

I would look around at the grounds, and connections in general.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

Check your alternator and battery. A good battery should be around 12.6 volts fully charged and a good alternator should charge btwn 13 to 14+ volts. Sounds like a bad ground maybe. Usually when cars have many codes and most aren't even related its due to bad battery, ground, or a short somewhere. Usually with bad batteries or alternators you will end up with it not wanting to start eventually due to lack of batt volts. So unless you have run into starting problems like slow cranking or what not it'll probably be a bad ground. Hence one ground is for multiple components.

 

[Getritch]

Ok, i've FINALLY gotten around to testing it.

Been super busy and the Radiator sprung a leak. Would have been fine, except that the bolts holding it on were seized to kingdom come.

Ended up drilling them out. and re-threading.

Picked up a Haynes manual, though and an electrical manual online, and that's been helpful in locating the ground-points (theoretically)

Battery and alt checked out fine, and Thursday i'm going to be free up so i'll check all the ground points that i couldn't locate before.

One question though, my gas mileage has dropped precipitously (pre CE lights 1 tank premium = ~350mi now ~ 270) and I cant help but think 'teh oxagen sensor?' which is one of the thingies on the CE light list...

should I just go ahead and replace it since a new one is ~ 30 bucks online? also, what are the chances that the 02 sensor is seized like the rad bolts were? That was quite a harrowing experience for a n00b like me. I thought I was gonna drill into something vital every 4 seconds...

On an unrelated note... tried to get to the IAC motor to clean it as per Lord Haynes' instructions, and the damn air intake hose wont come off. there's this sticky green goop that i think is some sort of epoxy attaching it to the throttle body and no amount of fanangling could remove it... is this normal or am I missing something?