Short in the brake system... I Think.

[90talontsi90]

Hey guys, I have a 90 talon that's developed a new problem overnight. The car was running and driving fine, then I parked the car after getting off work and come morning it won't start. So after work I check the battery and find it running low so I jump start the car. She fired right up, I let it run for about 20 min, then I go take it on a cruise around the block and when ever I touch the brake the car just loses all power for about 1/2 a second. Meaning if I'm curising without using the gas my tach says I lose about 400-500 rpm instantly.

So I parked the car, turned it off and popped the hood. I started looking for a loose ground, finding nothing I tried to start the car again. No start... so with the key in the run position still and all the warning lights on the dash I put my foot on the brakes and all the lights out, I.e dash, gauges go back to nothing (car was still warm so with key in run it was still reading coolent temp), and my interior lights go off. After about 1-2 second the lights all sloowwlly start coming back, really dim at first then after about 5-10 seconds they come back to normal.

Next day I took my battery in and got a new one because;
1. it was about 4 years old and I've put that battery through hell
2. When I had them do a quick test on the battery they couldn't get a good reading on it without playing with negative terminal. ( I was hopeing that this was just a ground issue)

So I replaced the battery and she started up right away. I say good she's running again and go back into the house, next morning no start again. And Now I have the car doing the whole power cut whenever I hit the brakes still. I'm thinking I have a dead short somewhere in the brake system. So now I need help trying to find it. So DSM'ers where would your recommend I look first?

Sorry for the book, Figured I try and give a good break down of whats happening.

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

Check the alternator. Jump the car and see if it is charging With a volt meter. If the car tries to die when you apply the brake, The brake lights may be draining the remainder of the power from the battery. You have probably been running off the battery for a couple days. Check your battery terminals and connections at the alternator. Good luck. Sounds like an alternator issue.

 

[90talontsi90]

I'll double check the alternator, but the brake light shouldn't kill a new battery overnight.

 

[rarest_90_DsM]

Take the negative battery cable off hook a test light between the negative cable and negative terminal on the battery if it lights up you have a short in the car if it doesn't light up your good start looking in other places.... PS make sure the key is on. If it lights up start pulling fuses one at a time till the light goes out then you will know what circuit the short is on.

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

Take the negative battery cable off hook a test light between the negative cable and negative terminal on the battery if it lights up you have a short in the car if it doesn't light up your good start looking in other places.... PS make sure the key is on. If it lights up start pulling fuses one at a time till the light goes out then you will know what circuit the short is on.

If the key is on he will definatly have a draw. Wouldnt you want the key off?

 

[rarest_90_DsM]

With the key off you may not have the affected circut on this test tests for a 12v source grounding on the chassis

 

[luv2rallye]

Check the brake light bulb sockets, they tend to corrode and short.
For the bulb in series with the battery negative test, try it with the key off first and press the brake pedal. Dim with brake lights dim is normal (since they are in series), but bright (and brake lights dim or off) is a short.

 

[90talontsi90]

Still trying to figure out the brake system thing, but I have a new problem thats making it harder to figure out... damn DSM.

When I try to start the car I get nothing (battery is good showing just under 12.5) except a whole lot of clicking. So I'm thinking a relay somewhere but where would you guys start?

 

[90talontsi90]

I really hate this car sometimes... It just clicks and never turns over. I see power in every place I check, I must be doing something wrong, somewhere. So here is the question When I turn the key I should see what power and where? From the key to the starter. Because if I can at least get it to try and turn over then I'll at least have something to really work off of.

 

[Texas gst]

The clicking sounds like the starter. Solenoid might have went out. Do the draw test with the key off since youre checking for something that happens when the car is just sitting. Make sure no doors, hood, hatch, are open and everything turned off or it will show a draw even though you are causing it. But yes pulling fuses if you have one will narrow it down. Make sure no loose wires by the brake pedal.

 

[Tanro]

When I was having the very same issues it was a nearly dead alternator. It was putting just enough volts to pass the Autoparts store machine, but any large draw on the system was making the battery die over a few days and making it jump like that whenever I pressed the brakes with the headlights on, or with the ac on.