DSATX problem, not power switch problem!

VThokieME · 04-23-2008, 11:53 PM

I recently rewired my car pc in a new enclosure in my trunk. I powered it up for the first time tonight and got a new problem I haven't seen before. My computer will turn on for less than a second, turn off, and then immediately turn back on. The only reason I can tell this is happening is because there is a low "pop" coming from my speakers/amplifier. Nothing, not even the cpu fan turns on. Originally when I hooked up my DSATX I had a problem with the power switch being inverted but as best as I can tell, that has been fixed. I tested the setup on my desk with a 12V/18A power supply with no problems. I've gone as far as checking the acc and VIN lines of the power supply and it appears that they are getting the right voltages. I have seen some people post about this same problem but so far I haven't seen any follow up responses. Any ideas, I'm tired of playing my mp3 player through a pair of travel speakers for entertainment?

fischb22 · 04-24-2008, 03:08 PM

a) is the red led on the DSATX flashing? if so how many times?

b) have you checked with a multi-meter your ACC, VIN+, and ground connections on the DSATX?

c) have you tried reversing the motherboard header pin?

VThokieME · 04-24-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by fischb22

a) is the red led on the DSATX flashing? if so how many times?

b) have you checked with a multi-meter your ACC, VIN+, and ground connections on the DSATX?

c) have you tried reversing the motherboard header pin?

a) the LED on the DSATX does not turn on at all and does not blink

b) Yes, VIN gives a constant 12.X volts. ACC cycles from 0 to 12V when turned on, and ground shows continuity between the wire and the car chassis.

c) Yes, I had a similar problem in the previous installment of my computer and recognize the symptoms where the computer turns on for a couple of seconds and then restarts. This was the first thing I attempted to switch accept this time I didn't have any success.

fischb22 · 04-24-2008, 10:25 PM

sorry i'm out of ideas

VThokieME · 05-04-2008, 01:22 AM

I took apart the enclosure and found the problem after 4 hours of searching with my multimeter. One of my distribution blocks, which provides a grounding point for my cpu and other components, had a faulty connection on one of the eight terminal points. The ground wire to the power supply was not sufficiently grounded, causing some problems on boot up. The tricky part was that I could detect continuity through the connection point depending on how I probed it with my multimeter.