Weird Loss of Electrical... a mystery novel.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

I was driving my 92 Camry yesterday, and it drove fine all the way through town, and when I got to my destination I went to shut it off... Normally when I turn the key back the doors unlock themselves since I have a viper keyless system. But this time they did nothing. The light around the keyring didn't light either. I shrugged it off and opened the door, but the dome light didn't come on. No lights, including dash, would work.

I thought maybe a wire in the tilt steering column was getting pinched or something, so I bobbed it around and the lights came back on. So I figured it must just be a wire, but this morning when I left for work, my keyless entry wouldn't open the door. The light was flashing to signal it was armed, I hit the button and the light went off, but nothing else happened. So I manually unlocked it and nothing was lit on the inside again. This time I suspected the viper system itself, so I reached down where the box is for it against the firewall and made sure all the wires were tight. It didn't seem loose, but when I sat back up, the electrical was back. Drove to work, and turning into the parking lot, the cd player and clock went blank then reset themselves. So power must have been but to them for a second. Now I don't know whether to suspect the alarm or the ignition electrical near the column. I don't see how the alarm could cut power to the dome lights though...

It has been colder down here the last few days. Colder than it's been in the last 6+ months at least. Maybe that has made some wiring more brittle.... I'm intrigued but a little concerned.

[Mister_Perkins]

Sounds like your wiring is messed up. Since your fuse doesn't blow, you probably have a split power or ground wire(s) somewhere. Its going to take you a while, but what you need to do is get a digital multimeter with audible continuity and probe the wires one both sides (Where it starts and where it ends) While doing this, wiggle the wires around. If the beeping from the multimeter stops, that particular wire has a crack in it at some point. Replace that wire, and move on to the next wire.

Use your FSM in the electrical side to determine the main power wires first to gauges, dome, etc.. then go to the grounds`

[LittleWhiteBubble]

I would think it would need to be a main power or ground feed for it to disable everything at once. I'm going to rip the steering column and lower dash apart tomorrow and dig around. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll be obvious. I'm thinking it has something to do with some wire I tapped into when I installed the alarm/keyless. I have a digital multimeter but I don't think it has a sound function which will make it more annoying to track down.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by LittleWhiteBubble

I would think it would need to be a main power or ground feed for it to disable everything at once. I'm going to rip the steering column and lower dash apart tomorrow and dig around. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll be obvious. I'm thinking it has something to do with some wire I tapped into when I installed the alarm/keyless. I have a digital multimeter but I don't think it has a sound function which will make it more annoying to track down.

Usually problems that didn't exist before are related to what you've done most recently. If you've recently installed that alarm system, I would say it could be culprit.

Remove the alarm system and see if the problem stops. That's the easiest thing to do


Just a thought. Some aftermarket car alarm systems require an inline resistor to unlock the doors / trunk feature. If the resistor isn't in place it could cause problems.

I read your lights flashed but the lock solenoids didn't unlock the door. Could be related. I also could be wrong with that particular alarm system too. I've never personally installed one.. I know that with a Bulldog car alarm on certain models (Generally ones with rear electronic trunk solenoids) you have to solder inline resistors to the solenoids for the system to work properly.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

I installed it several months ago, and this is the first time I've had this problem, but it's the only electrical work I've done under the dash aside from dash light and radio installs. I wired up the starter kill relay but had problems with it, so I took it back out and respliced the wires. I'm thinking maybe one of those is the culprit. The alarm itself still functions, I think there's just a loose wire from when I installed it. That's where I'll start tomorrow.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by LittleWhiteBubble

I installed it several months ago, and this is the first time I've had this problem, but it's the only electrical work I've done under the dash aside from dash light and radio installs. I wired up the starter kill relay but had problems with it, so I took it back out and respliced the wires. I'm thinking maybe one of those is the culprit. The alarm itself still functions, I think there's just a loose wire from when I installed it. That's where I'll start tomorrow.

Sounds like you got a good idea where the problem may be. That would be the same place I would start as well, since that was the only electrical work you've done

Keep us posted

[LittleWhiteBubble]

Thanks for bouncing ideas with me. I'll let you know what I find.