Interior lights are dead...dont know why.

Grimoire · 12-22-2006, 04:43 PM

Well, My interior dash lights died, the HU died, and the Inverter to power the computer died. NO power to any of them. So I figured a fuse blew somewhere, no biggie. Except there are no fuses under the hood of my car for the int! No radio fuse, no interior dash fuse, nothing!
I dont get it! Any one have any suggestions on where I can find a manual or wiring diagram, Ive searched the net, couldnt find squat. I figure one of you guys that have a Matrix, or a Vibe would be able to help.
I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT, and the HU and inverter are being powered from the aux of the cig lighter. My HU connection (radio power and whatnot) stopped supplying power, so I moved them all to the cig lighter. Im positive I overloaded it, but all the math worked out and it actually worked for about 2 days, now it just BAMMO blew. Anyone please help?

Wiredwrx · 12-22-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Grimoire

Well, My interior dash lights died, the HU died, and the Inverter to power the computer died. NO power to any of them. So I figured a fuse blew somewhere, no biggie. Except there are no fuses under the hood of my car for the int! No radio fuse, no interior dash fuse, nothing!
I dont get it! Any one have any suggestions on where I can find a manual or wiring diagram, Ive searched the net, couldnt find squat. I figure one of you guys that have a Matrix, or a Vibe would be able to help.
I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT, and the HU and inverter are being powered from the aux of the cig lighter. My HU connection (radio power and whatnot) stopped supplying power, so I moved them all to the cig lighter. Im positive I overloaded it, but all the math worked out and it actually worked for about 2 days, now it just BAMMO blew. Anyone please help?

VERY BAD IDEA TO POWER EVERYTHING FROM THE CIGARRETTE LIGHTER, DIDN'T YOU READ THAT ON HERE SOMEWHERE?

YOU MUST have fuses somewhere. Call a dealer and ask them for the location. I can't believe you installed a carputer and have no idea where the fuse box is. Also, you might have the dreaded FUSIBLE LINK. That will be more difficult to find and replace.

Good luck, and PUT EVERYTHING ON IT'S OWN GOD DAMNED WIRE TO THE BATTERY.

Michael

billmee · 12-22-2006, 05:27 PM

google 'vibe fuse box'
then click on images
some dudes painted one red

Grimoire · 12-22-2006, 07:01 PM

I know where the fuse box is, but the fuse I need isnt there. And I did have everything running on a seperate line from the battery, with a fuse, but nothing worked, why, I dont know.
Doesnt matter, I just got into an accident, my cars banged up, operable, but banged up. The Alternator is dead, so the battery no longer holds a charge. Why I dont know. Before I left, I disconnected EVERYTHING from the computer. I guess it wasnt a fuse that I blew anyway because the power windows, turn signals, all didnt work. Then, while driving, everything just sorta slowed/dimmed (windshield wipers were slowing down) then I just stopped. I was getting a jump and there was a car behind me, a car in front, then the car behing me gets slammed, that car gets thrown into mine, i bump the car infront.
But my thing is WHY did it all die? Did my alt go? Is the battery shot? I pulled the entire comptuer out before I left. Granted, the int lights were still dead, but the car was running.
Im an idiot.
Any ideas?

billmee · 12-22-2006, 08:11 PM

dude you are haveing a bad day

All I can offer is this; wifes Honda has a second fuse box on the right side of the dash, you can't see it until you open the door.

By the way did you check your owners manual?

Grimoire · 12-22-2006, 08:16 PM

I dont have a dc clamp on ammeter, Ill look at getting one at AutoZone or Radio shack or something. Ive looked for another fuse box on the dash, I didnt see one initially, but Ill remove the dash and look more deeply. I just got the damn car home, so now its not on the side of the road dead. Its now in my drive way dead. I really think its the alternator. Im going to put the entire car back to factory settings, but a new HU harness and restor all connections, and try again with new wiring and such. Hell, I may even invest in another battery JUST for the computer. Any ideas how to do that? Any ideas why any of this **** just started happening?

Grimoire · 12-22-2006, 08:23 PM

I found the secondary fuse box on genvibe.com. I havnt gotten under there to see if I blew a fuse or if thats my whole fix right there or not, because theres a fuse for the 'charging system'. That may be my fix right there. Anyone know what a 'charging system' is and why its on the AM2 fuse?

Grimoire · 12-22-2006, 08:54 PM

ECU-B
CIG
GUAGE
*1
Are all blown so far. Yeah, Im have a terrific day. I think once I replace all these fuses and rerun all the lines, I should be good. Guys insurance SHOULD cover my dents and scratched paint, so I think Ill be good to go. Unless theres soemthing else Im missing. Would those blown fuses stop my car from keeping a charge?

billmee · 12-23-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Grimoire

ECU-B
CIG
GUAGE
*1
Are all blown so far. Yeah, Im have a terrific day. I think once I replace all these fuses and rerun all the lines, I should be good. Guys insurance SHOULD cover my dents and scratched paint, so I think Ill be good to go. Unless theres soemthing else Im missing. Would those blown fuses stop my car from keeping a charge?

no

should be big wire from alt to batt, no fuse in between, possibly a fuseable link(???)

Never had an alt failure but you shoulda had a check engine light or even an ALT light. Could be a bad winding in the alt or maybe the regulator. Regulator could explain the blown fuses but I'd ask an expert.

Jahntassa · 12-23-2006, 10:26 AM

If you have the stock battery it's probably the 320CC batt, more than likely it's just dead and you need a new one anyway.

If your alternator is putting out 14v while driving, it should be fine, unless there's something more wrong and it's not putting out any current.

Shagzter · 01-13-2007, 02:12 AM

If it's any consulation, I know for a fact that the battery doesn't even have to be connected for the car to stay running someone (my friend's naigherbors friend, sorta force-volunteered to "help") that was with me while i was running my power lines through the firewall for my Cap install tested that one out for me.

car was running, i was in the back performaing the initial "charge" of the capacitors... and the dude was up front playing with the posative battery terminal, had it completely disconnected. Interior lamps, the 115v inverter, stock stereo, .. you name it, it was running perfectly (means you don't NEED a battery connected in the Vibe to be able to keep it running, just need it to start).

Based on his symptoms, would sound like the alternator fried (or the voltage regulator), and the surge killed the fuses. Did you happen to have your music pumped loud at the time? As for the battery, i'm no expert.. but from past experience... if an old car battery is gonna just "stop charging".. it's usually happened right after a full drain. For some reason, once they are 'dead beyond dead' ... it's when they just stop taking a charge (you probably ran your car for half-mile or so off of the battery).

~Shagzter

Shagzter · 01-13-2007, 03:34 AM

By the way, nice job on the HU enclosure. Good place to put it. Did you fab. the box, or were you able to pick up the basic shape from somewhere?

I think i'm interested in putting something like that into mine. it beats the hassle of having to take apart/build that section with the cig. lighter and 110v plug.

~Shagzter

Grimoire · 01-13-2007, 09:47 AM

No, Bluematrix03 built that and I purchased it from him. But, I can make a frame off of it and mail it to you or give you blue prints if your wanting. I dont even use that cig lighter or 110v plug. And I may put something there anyway. PM me if you want the frame.

And now I know what happened. I did some research and one of the fuses I blew was the 'charging system'. My alternator. I know the batter can be disconnected ONCE the car is running, thats how you check your alternator. But, if the alternator goes, then your running off of battery. And thats what happened, with the charging system not working because of a blown fuse, I was running off of the battery. And it was night, so the Headlights were on, a small drizzle so I had the windshild wipers on and my radio goin. So, yeah, I figured out what happened. Im going to make a Tank circuit now.