shmark

Had a strange shutdown yesterday, first time this has ever happened. I was driving along in 3rd gear and turned on the headlights. The car immediately shut down completely and the central warning light "!" was NOT lit, but the light immediately below it was, something like AXB...I don't have the car with me to check it. Not even the alarm leds were lit. Other than that one warning light the car was totally dead. I coasted to a stop completely mystified. Then I turned the headlight switch off and the alarm leds came back on. So I turned the key and she fired right up, smooth as ever. And the headlights worked just fine.

FWIW I drove to the a/c shop this morning to get it serviced, no problems at all. Needless to say I don't want this happening on the way to SITM. My first suspicion is a ground fault, any hints on where to look?

Alan

For something that could shutdown the whole car - I'd look at the grounds above the CE panel but I'd pay special attention to the alternator & jump post +ve connections.

Alan

shmark

Well my jump post is in bad shape so that's the first place I'll look, then check the alternator. I've noticed that the gauge registers slightly high, not that that's a good indicator, but I'll check the alternator too. Thanks!

panchosouth

Pssst. It's the new wheels. give them to me and all you're problems will go away...true story.

SeanR

Did you hit a bump? Possibly the battery became disconnected.....grasping here.

Alan

That almost certainly wouldn't stop the car - though it might do other damage... if the battery was loose and the terminals shorted to the top of the battery box lid it might - but there would be some evidence left behind.

Alan

shmark

Nope, no bump. Just turned on the headlights and everything stopped. The battery is tight, no problems there at all. And the wheels added ONE BILLION HORSEPOWERS so no way they caused it.

Jim M.

+1 Had the exact same situation with my 89. Car would completly die, no bumps or anything. It was the ignition switch. They are cheap and only about a 45 minute job, especially with no air bag to disconnect.

SeanR

I can vouch for this, for it is true.

shmark

Sorry, I had not seen where that thread went when I posted that. I just thought it was funny on its own.