fantastic month i've been having with this car i tell you.

90 ls.

sunday, which was the day after the timing belt install my car decided to turn off on me for no reason four times altogether. but not just the motor..the whole car. the lights inside went off, everything went dark and then i heard the fuel pump prime and the dash lights come back on.

10 minutes ago i went to run a quick erran..i'm driving two minutes at most and every so often my heat would just cut out..like i was turning it on and off..but i wasnt. then it made this weird sound when i used my turn signal. like an "errr" sound with each (weak) blink.

I got to where i was going and the car started making the beeping sound as if my seatbelt was off (it wasnt) and i noticed my fuel gauge went down all the way past empty; even though i KNOW i have gas. all other gauges were fine. i also could've sworn i heard some sort of electric buzz or fizzle from underneath the dash..but i could be mistaken.

On the way home (2 min away) the car just acted funny, was making noises still and then the check engine light came on. i pulled into my driveway..and checked the codes. i got a code 43 Fuel supply system and a code 17 VSS.

I just dont know where to begin looking for the source of the problem. anyone have any ideas? I, as always appreciate any and all help.

 

Check the ground wires, or better just replace them, I had a big issue with my 90 on the ground from the valve cover to the frame, it was all rusted and nasty. replaced it and it worked fine. I was amazed at how many issues one little ground wire can cause.

 

yeah that valve cover wire doesnt look too good. it looks like a 15 year old wire haha.


i also just went back outside to look at it again..started it up..and there were no problems. no CEL no dimming, weird flickering lights. this car is the death of me, i tell you.

i'm going to redo the main ground and battery connections tonight. any idea what gauge wire to run on the valve cover? 8?

 

8 sounds about right. You could also relocate the ground to the back of the valve cover, and to the shock tower. Cleans up the front end a little. When you replace the ground make sure it has a little bit of slack for when the engine moves around, and make sure the crimps are TIGHT on the wire. I though i had some tight and in just a day or two i was having problmes again, i re-crimped them and it was fine. Also clean all paint off the area you are connecting to. I know they do not do this from the factory, but every little bit can help

 

ha yeah that wire isnt crimped AT ALL..i'll get on that

thanks a lot

 

If the ground wire doesnt work. I am looking at a wiring diagram and the vvs is fused to your alt and all your emission controls also gauges. That explains why your gauges are meesed up. But all your pgm fi is on a differant fuse. I would say you have a couple shorts in your wiring. This just happened to me but I was getting high voltage codes and o2 sensor codes the short made my gaauges go out and no charge from my alt. I would take it to a auto electric shop and have them trace the prob.

 

still havent fixed grounds or anything..but I just went for another two minute drive..and it was fine..except for when i turned on the head lights...then the seatbelt indicator came on and was beeping. but both my (automatic) seatbelts were hooked up.

man i really, really hope its nothing serious. my big thing is why would this come out of nowhere.

 

alright, i wasnt able to get ahold of any 8 gauge today..so i took two 10 gauge wires and made a new valve cover ground.

i went for a drive and everything seemed okay..right when i pulled on my street...everything dimmed down and the car seemed to lose power. i threw it into neutral so it wouldnt stall and sat there a second.

then everything came right back on.

i'm changing my battery wires tomorrow and i'll check the voltage on the alternator.

 

thinking maybe it might be the alternator?

 

The same thing happen to me a couple of months ago. No one knew what it was either. I had to tear apart my whole dash and found out that my secondary o2 sensor wire got grounded to my cat. The harness that connects to the o2 is also connected to VSS, alternator,ELD and some other things. I hope this helps you a little bit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by XxNampsterxX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The same thing happen to me a couple of months ago. No one knew what it was either. I had to tear apart my whole dash and found out that my secondary o2 sensor wire got grounded to my cat. The harness that connects to the o2 is also connected to VSS, alternator,ELD and some other things. I hope this helps you a little bit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

so was your problem in the dash or underneath the car? that harness..sounds like it would be my problem..with me getting a CEL with a code for the VSS and my power dimming/ car dying.

where is that harness located?

 

i went to drive my car to the gas station..foolish me. i got to the end of my street and the cars power went near dead..and then it died.

i sat there a few minutes trying to get it to start. it would crank..but then die..like the dizzy was messed up.

certain lights would work in the car. others wouldnt.

i ended up pushing it halfway down my street. then i got in to see if it would start and it did. i floored it the rest of my street home.

i want to cry. i sold my mercedes-benz for a car i would enjoy and have fun modding. not a car that broke literally the day after i got done fixing something else. with the thermostat, head gasket, water pump..at least i could diagnose it. i knew what was wrong and i got it fixed.

now..i have zero idea what to do. i sit and look at it and dont know where to begin. i had plenty of money to buy a 15 year old honda and mod it. now i'm nearing the end of my benz money..with a 15 year old honda with a quarter million miles on and no mods that wont make it past my street.

i cant work because this is my only transportation. i'm about to lose the second job i would've started because of my car not working.

i dont want to bring it to a shop..because i wouldnt know what shop to bring it to..what would i tell them? "hey..some electrical is wrong..have fun." i know electrical work doesnt come cheap. plus i'd have to have it towed to the shop..which i really, really dont want to do.

i feel so weak, i dont know what to do.

if anyone has any ideas...or know of any shops in the northeast pennsylvania area that could diagnose and help fix my car..i swear i'd appreciate it so much.

 

Sounds like it could be your alternator, same thing happened to my car a long time ago, the inconsistincy of the problems, dimming lights, wacked out guages, I suggest you find the proper way to test the alternator and go ahead and do that or just find a cheap replacement in the classifieds. GL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b18cKoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like it could be your alternator, same thing happened to my car a long time ago, the inconsistincy of the problems, dimming lights, wacked out guages, I suggest you find the proper way to test the alternator and go ahead and do that or just find a cheap replacement in the classifieds. GL</TD></TR></TABLE>

was the car cutting in and out, as well?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by . M i c h a e l &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

was the car cutting in and out, as well?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, it would almost stall and buck real bad, then come back, and do that sporadically, new alternator solved my problems, but check it before you spend the money on a new part.

 

will check by book specs tomorrow. thanks a lot buddy

 

when i went on that short drive today...i turned the heat on..and it sounded like something was rubbing somewhere. it stopped when i turned it off. eventually it went away.

i say this because a buddy just said it might be the heater core wires.

 

Check the ground bolt on top of the alternator, you'll see a black boot, pry that up and there is a nut holding a ground strap on the alternator. Make sure thats tight.

 

i just went to put my system in..everything was hooked up except for the remote wire to the subs. once they were put on..everything started dimming. figured I needed a cap..but then the headlights were dimming..and all the interior lights went out and wouldnt come back on.

i dont know if this is related.

 

i just went to put my system in..everything was hooked up except for the remote wire to the subs. once they were put on..everything started dimming. figured I needed a cap..but then the headlights were dimming..and all the interior lights went out and wouldnt come back on.


i dont know if this is related.

maybe the alternator?

 

Good luck man. I know how it feels to be in your situation. If all else fails take it to a shop, before you loose any more time at work.

 

going to try and check the alternator now with a multimeter

 

i dont exactly understand the logic of putting a system in with such major issues as the electrical system. It seems like your alternator is taking a crap on you, could be the belt as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Code Blue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i dont exactly understand the logic of putting a system in with such major issues as the electrical system. It seems like your alternator is taking a crap on you, could be the belt as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the system was already in. i had just decided to turn it on.

 

i also just tested the battery/alternator by way of my chilton book ( i know..chilton..i know)

12.5 v constant with car off.

15 v constant with 2000 rpm and no other load.

15 v constant at 3000k with head lights, wipers, heat on.

the book said its overcharging.

this is with the multimeter ON the battery. battery is brand new. i followed the books instructions.