electircal problem after replacing thermostat

[wjce]

Help!. I attempted what appears to be a simple repair. My 2000 Solara v-6 had the check engine light come on. I took it to Advance Auto and they told me that the thermostat needed to be replaced. So today, I replaced the thermostat and thought that I hooked everything back up correctly.

When we put the key in the ignition, the door open bell rang (the door was open). We tried to start it, but it made a noise like it could hardly crank and then we heard another louder click/pop. At that point, the door bell stopped working.

I moved and remounted one of the ground wires and the bell came back on. So we tried to start again, but nothing. Not even a click. So I thought that I had a short in the battery. I got out my ohms meter and the battery registered 12 v. When we tried to start the car again, nothing and the battery voltage didn't flucuate.

So, I'm assuming that I either blew a fuse or shorted out something. I looked at the fuse pannel but didn't see any fused that looked blown, but I didn't pull them out.

Additionally, we bought this car used, and it didn't have the owners manual, so I'm not sure what fuses I should even be looking at.

Any ideas on what it could be or what to do next.

Thanks so much for your help.

Clark

[Pauloil]

so did you see the temp sensor near there and get its wires wet?. further, thermostats don't usually set a code, the car is cold too long and the gauge goes up too slow etc., but not a code. what was the code?

[wjce]

Boy do I feel stupid. I went back out later and discovered the problem was the we didn't tighten the battery terminal tight enough. Once we did this, everything was fine.

[Pauloil]

if and when the code comes back,post it here. stats don't usually set CEL. i usually leave the electrical sys. alone when doing a stat. unless the temp. sensor needs changing

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by wjce

Boy do I feel stupid. I went back out later and discovered the problem was the we didn't tighten the battery terminal tight enough. Once we did this, everything was fine.

Don't feel bad. We've all pulled a similar stunt at one time or another. Glad it's fixed. Must admit I have never heard of anybody ever replacing a thermostat based on a code. Odd.

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Must admit I have never heard of anybody ever replacing a thermostat based on a code. Odd.

I just got a P0128 on my way home from Turkey Day festivities

That might be what Autozone found when they scanned OP's car.

More info here:

http://repairpal.com/check-engine-li...e-of-p0128-362

And here:

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0128


.

[Pauloil]

Originally Posted by ajkalian

I just got a P0128 on my way home from Turkey Day festivities

That might be what Autozone found when they scanned OP's car.

More info here:

http://repairpal.com/check-engine-li...e-of-p0128-362

And here:

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0128


.

my bet would be on the ECT. esp since you just put new thermo in. you could check to see how its resistance varies wrt temp., or just replace it, being sure to reset adaptives by taking neg cable off 15 min. or by touching brake when cable is off.
this might be it. either reuse old gasket ring or get new

http://www.stockwiseauto.com/product...lara/Year/2000

[Pauloil]

here it is on amazon

Amazon

Amazon

or you could take it out and go show to the parts guy at your local dealer