QuestionQUESTION: This morning I was sitting at a Stop light on my way to work in my 1999 Chrysler LHS. I have driven this route (about 10 miles) for years. I was listening to the radio waiting to turn when The car died... Radio, gauges, power... Like I had turned off the ignition? Never given me a problem at all? What am I looking for?
ANSWER: Hi Jeff,
You are going to want to look at the ground cable and positive cable clamps at the battery, and also verify that the ground wire that is attached to the clamp goes to a ground point near the power distribution center and that the + cable goes to the remote jump post near the left strut tower and verify that those connections are tight, and if you had a meter that there is +12V at the jump post compared to the engine block using a simple 12V glow light or a meter. Then I would look at fuse G and fuse J, both 40 amp, in the power distribution center under the hood, looking closely at the internal wire to see that even if it looks like it hasn't blown might it possibly have a crack in the wire. If that checks then you would want to go to the ignition switch and verify that you have 12V coming to it on the red wire. (Remove the screw for the tilt lever and remove lever, remove under cover from steering column) Find the red wire, put a pin thru the insulation and measure for 12V between it and a shiney structural element nearby. There are about 4 sections of that switch which share that incoming power, so it is unlikely that they all failed internally together.
Those are the paths that power for a wide range of circuits follows. If you don't find a solution then try various other electrical circuits and lights to find out what is working and then maybe we can deduce what parts aren't working and thus work backwards to focus on a source for those specific circuits.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I forgot to include a possibly important piece of information. The car started right back up and I haven't experienced it again since Monday morning 4/2/07. This may not change any of the possible solutions you have offered, but I thought it might narrow the focus? I'll be checking these things out.
Thanks
Jeff.
AnswerHi Jeff,
I was wondering where the car was, for example, but now I understand. I don't think it changes anything except that it is easier to trace a circuit that is manfunctioning in failed state than the normal state. But the clamps, ground connection, fuse cracks would still be worth examining. But then if you find nothing, be ready with a voltmeter or 12v glow light to check it when it shuts down and if it won't restart to see if you do or don't have voltage to those fuses and to the ignition switch's red wire.
Roland
