Lance A

Ok, apparently i found the death button on my car. Ive only had the car a few months, so im still learning the ins and outs. I went and got gas to make it to a tech secession tomorrow, and as i got home i became curious about the button just below the the fog light button. The engine was off, but the ignition was on. After pressing it i lost my gauges and dash lights, and the car wont start. The turn signal flasher on the display began flashing rapidly coinciding with a rapid clicking from relay V (turn indicator, 4 way flasher) However no external light were flashing on the car. Im not talking about the hazard light button. Turn signals still work, headlights still work, and hazards still work. I tried pressing the button again but no change. I checked all the fuses and replaced the blown instruments/indicator lamp fuse. This did nothing besides give me my gauges back. I disconnected the battery and started over. The rapidly flashing signal light and relay clicking had stopped but the car still wont start. Now when i try to start the car there is a new clicking noise from one of the relays. (different from before) I never heard this clicking while starting the car in the past. While looking under the dash on the drivers side i noticed 2 small black buttons and a red one. What are these? Im not pressing any more buttons till i know what they do! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Black 1986.5 AT

Hilton

It's non-factory, and is probably related to an immobiliser of some kind. Pictures would help a lot.

No mention of it by the PO, or manuals for it?

Lance A

The one that caused the problem has to be factory. To the left of the steering wheel on the dash there is the head light switch on top, fog lights button in the middle followed by my death button on bottom. The 2 small black buttons and the single red one under the dash are probably aftermarket, The po is no help, and my wsm is missing the binder for the interior CH 40-48. So right now im SOL.
Ill post pics later when i figure out how.

Leon Speed

Non-start as in no cranking or as in cranking but not firing?

Lance A

cranking but not firing

Leon Speed

What do the buttons under the dash look like? Are the black ones small and positioned in the same place opposite of the wheel? If so, the right one is probably for the intensive washer system, that only works when the wipers are on. The left one could be the odometer reset. The red one is probably not factory. I would try that one in various combinations with turning of the key.

Lance A

small red botton is dead center of steering collum in front of tilt control, 1 small black button 1 inch to the right of the red one , and 2nd black button 6 inches to the right of the others. What is the 3rd button on the left side of the pod under the fog light button?

lawndart

odometer reset

Leon Speed

Yes that would be right, odo reset for a US model. It has an 0 on it. Unless somebody rewired it. Other possibility is a short somewhere. Hmm.. this isn't getting easier.

Btw Lance,take out the ignition and x-bus relay and clean the feet, then try again.

Lance A

already did that, even swapped it with another compatible relay

chaadster

Yeah, you pushed the Odo Reset button; icon is a box with inward pointing arrow heads on either side, no? This is a mechanical switch, which aside from being lighted, doesn't have any electrical feature, so I'm having a hard time imagining how it could be related to your trouble.

That said, the red button and its 1" distant companion are non-stock, so who knows what's going on in there. I think the guess that it's part of some alarm/immobiliser is as good as any, perhaps even a fuel pump cut off.

I think you have no choice but to start pushing those short of an intensive electrical asessment.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Lance A

Good to know that its the odo reset, however it did not reset the odo and it is definitely where the problem originated. Like you said i dont understand how thats possible. I guess ill go screw with the others. Ill let u know what happens.

Leon Speed

Chaad, is the button mechanical as in it connects to the odo via a cable or something, or is it an electrical switch which signals the odo system to mechanically reset?

Lance A

Ok, the 3 mystery buttons were no help. I tried all combinations individually, simultaneously, prior to trying to start, and while trying to start. This couldnt be any more typical of my luck. I gave the exhaust pipe a little sniff, and it doesnt seem to be getting gas. Any suggestions?

Lance A

From what i can see there are 3 wires running to the odo reset. all connections seem to be fine.