scredlex

iTrader: (4)

hey, anyone in the Santa Barbara area?? Im stuck w/o tools and technical know how! my sc has been sitting for two weeks now because of one of those infamous electrical problems. it could be a number of problems: ground harness, alternator (though i rebuild it 2 years ago), the negative terminal, etc. if you have a place/shop i can work at thatd be cool. lmk thanks guys

Peter_95

iTrader: (2)

does your car crank? what happens when you turn on the key and try to crank?
post up some symptoms of what is happening to the car so at least this way we can chime in to what the problem may be.

better on the forums than no one there to help you out.

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

If the car loses power/lights when you signal or brake, try to clean the grounding points, have battery/alternator tested, then look into the negative grounding cable. A cable from a 1GS fixed my woes.
Try borrowing some tools at an auto store like autozone/kragen.

scredlex

iTrader: (4)

i have had my alternator die once on me before, but this was a little different.

1) my battery light was off and on for a week prior (just like when my alternator died)
2) before my car died the speakers/headlights were losing power (just like my alternator)
3) abs light turned on
4) car died and still cranked
5) still juice in the battery because the HU still functions (when i lost the alternator, my battery completely drained after trying to start it again...?)
6) fuses are still good
7) battery terminals as clean as can be
8) starter cranks (ticks)
9) no visible melting or bad areas on the grounding harness
10) brake lights work and don't dim, but headlights (HIDS) wont turn on. When attempting to turn on, ignition ring is off tune (as if not enough power).

thanks a lot guys (didn't want to ask in the main sc forum, so many threads on electrical problems just like this...tho mine might be slightly different)

correction: HU has no light and is completely dead

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

What did you replace when you rebuilt the alternator?
Do you have any fluids leaking onto the alternator?
Are the HIDs a plug n play kit? Are they connected through a relay harness?

scredlex

iTrader: (4)

the distributor has little to minor oil leaking onto the alternator. the HIDs are plug and play. lastly, im not sure what they did when i had the alternator done. "complete" rebuild i was told, whatever that may be.

if it is the alternator, is there any way of testing it while on the car?

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

It might be the oil from the distributor leaking onto the alternator. I would say that is culprit number 1 so far. How long has it been leaking already? I just replaced the o-ring on mine a few weeks ago. I also sprayed some electrical/maf cleaner on the alternator to try to remove some of the oil that has dripped onto the alternator. Probably was leaking on my alternator for a week or 2.

Use a multimeter to measure the voltage from the alternator. Should be around 14-15 at idle, but don't quote me on those numbers. I gotta look them up.

I asked about the hid kit to make sure they didn't fry your stock 9006 harness.

A few people have been having similar issues lately. Here are a few of their threads if you haven't seen them already:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=387887
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=389581

Peter_95

iTrader: (2)

wait you said the starter clicks? are you sure your car is cranking?
If you hear a rapid click sound, that means your battery is dead 100% positive.... Sometimes the battery might not have enough juice to crank but enough to have lights or whatnot to work.
double check your battery.

scredlex

iTrader: (4)

the battery is 100% dead (i hear that rapid starter click).
Excuse me if I'm just illiterate automotive wise, but doesn't my car have to be running to use a multimeter to measure the voltage from the alternator. Is there another way i don't know about?