Electrical Diagnosis Help

[Gen18]

So suddenly I have a very very irritating issue with my r33. There isn't really an electrics section of the forum, but this may be audio related.

The issue rose its head on a quick shopping trip of all things. Turned the key to on, then upon turning to ignition the entire electrical system dies. No power to anything.

At the time I managed to get it back, but I had no idea how and I put it down to a gremlin. But the problem persists. Its an inconsistent problem, but I have begun to notice patterns.

Variables that have changed :

I moved from Brisbane to Canberra. In Brisbane my car was always garaged. Down here it is not. After a storm or sometimes on a frosty morning the problem appears. Also, after going to a car wash on a nice warm Sydney afternoon, the problem arose. Water a catalyst?

Just before coming to canberra I installed some new 6.5 option audio speakers in the doors. I used the factory wiring.

The temporary fix :

Slamming a door. Yeah ... Slam a door, and the dash lights flick on then off, and try again. Eventually it will kick over without cutting out. As long as it is running its fine.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I can do. I would like to give it a try fixing it myself before going to an auto electrician. Something I wanted to try was to make sure the factory speaker wiring was ok by soldering it to the speakers properley and then heatshrinking. I took a door trim off today just to look at it but nothing seems out of place.

Failing that, anyone know a good auto-electrician in Canberra, or even one in Sydney who is open weekends. I don't have all my tools down here which makes things harder too.

[Carbon 34]

So suddenly I have a very very irritating issue with my r33. There isn't really an electrics section of the forum, but this may be audio related.

The issue rose its head on a quick shopping trip of all things. Turned the key to on, then upon turning to ignition the entire electrical system dies. No power to anything.

At the time I managed to get it back, but I had no idea how and I put it down to a gremlin. But the problem persists. Its an inconsistent problem, but I have begun to notice patterns.

Variables that have changed :

I moved from Brisbane to Canberra. In Brisbane my car was always garaged. Down here it is not. After a storm or sometimes on a frosty morning the problem appears. Also, after going to a car wash on a nice warm Sydney afternoon, the problem arose. Water a catalyst?

Just before coming to canberra I installed some new 6.5 option audio speakers in the doors. I used the factory wiring.

The temporary fix :

Slamming a door. Yeah ... Slam a door, and the dash lights flick on then off, and try again. Eventually it will kick over without cutting out. As long as it is running its fine.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I can do. I would like to give it a try fixing it myself before going to an auto electrician. Something I wanted to try was to make sure the factory speaker wiring was ok by soldering it to the speakers properley and then heatshrinking. I took a door trim off today just to look at it but nothing seems out of place.

Failing that, anyone know a good auto-electrician in Canberra, or even one in Sydney who is open weekends. I don't have all my tools down here which makes things harder too.

Yes water humidity can be a issue

Really its not the speakers the door slam just shakes the car , bet if you open hand slap the car near the drivers door it does the same thing

Or a light tap on the dash or surround on the key?

check all battery connections after you clean them for tightness ,fuse box to battery connection

and if the car has alarm I would suss the connections on the starter relay ( the ignition uses multiple power paths ) are loose or even a worn key / ignition barrel from a heavy keyring ?

Try a new key if you have one ?

the fact its worse when its wet leads to a battery connection problem most likely or even a dead cell starting to play up

those are the places to look first

The circuit issue is between the key and battery but which item

[Gen18]

I did tap around the dash, ignition, door etc. But none of that worked. Possibly just because it needs a very hard jolt.

The battery is fairly new too.

[Chris Rogers]

check the fuse panel next to the battery, that holds the MAIN ign fuse. that will give you a similar cause.

[Gen18]

Well gave everything a check and cleaned with contact cleaner. Nothing looked out of place and the fuses look brand new.

[Carbon 34]

Well gave everything a check and cleaned with contact cleaner. Nothing looked out of place and the fuses look brand new.

Remove the battery terminals and use a twist brush on it , and terminals inside , contact cleaner wont do crap to those

Pull the fuses one at a time and check for corrosion or dull grey blades a rub of superfine grit sandpaper on each leg and pop back in , not grind it off but just shine it and put back in , if you have any dodgy wiring taps they need to go on any item

check the 4ga and small wire that runs to starter as well they get disgusting filth and cause issues

Lots of wires look fine but fail , so a physical wiggle test is required on some

If the car has alarm ( under warranty let installer look at it ) not warranty pull off clamshell surround on ignition and recheck while wiggling the wires going into key barrel , go easy or sparks could fly!!

But save that for last

Edited October 15, 2012 by Carbon 34

[Gen18]

The terminals look brand new I just reseated the terminals.

Haven't had a chance to test out the theories as it has yet to not start. Its warming up too. Maybe I should see if it starts after a wash.

The car has alarm, and If it continues I'll take the plastics off the steering column.