Electricial gremlins ..... in Automotive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22678778 en Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:20:50 EDT Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:20:50 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22762883 stevennb : The local garage used a test light and said that all the fuses were good.

Ok.

I checked them at home ( i didn't have a multimeter on hand ) but they looked good , meaning that the fuses looked intact.

Stumped I brought it to the Honda dealer near me and they found some bad fuses... go figure. :D
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"They moved my desk 4 times already this year and I used to be over by the window and I could see the squirrels and they were married, but then they moved my desk and they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22762883 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:21:18 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22759779 Angralitux : now, how did you found out it was bad fuses? or whoever found the problem? did they use a test light?
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All Is possible...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22759779 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:10:26 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22746656 KrK : Nice timing this thread, I think it might help with my van issue.

Congrats to the OP for fixing the problem :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22746656 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:15:29 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22746648 Doctor Olds : Congratulations! :D

Now you don't have to rely on anyone the next time as you know exactly where and how to test the fuses in the fuse panel. Turn on the ignition key (but don't start the engine yet), test both sides of the fuses. If any fuse shows as only hot on one side, then that is a blown fuse and it needs replacement. If any fuses are dead on both sides, note their location and start the car turning everything on and then retest them.

As to the bulb, the same basic test applies and if it shows hot on one side only, the bulb is bad!
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22746648 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:07:17 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22743703 stevennb : The issue has been resolved.
Apparently it was some bad fuses (even though the local mechanic checked them and said that they were fine).
The dome light bulbs filament looked intact but I replaced it with another one and , wouldn't you know it now works. :D
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"They moved my desk 4 times already this year and I used to be over by the window and I could see the squirrels and they were married, but then they moved my desk and they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22743703 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:17:33 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22742967 Doctor Olds :
said by avd706 See Profile :

not all fuses are energized at all times.
Correct. That's why you turn the key to on so that you energize those ignition switch controlled circuits.
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22742967 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:16:03 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22742893 avd706 : not all fuses are energized at all times.
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standard disclaimers apply.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22742893 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:02:53 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717877 Doctor Olds :
said by 3SGTE See Profile :

said by Doctor Olds See Profile :

Please do tell us exactly what side of a simple fuse in a fuse box that cannot have a ground applied to it?
Both. There are no loads in the part of the circuit before the fuse.

:p
Neither, When using a test light since the bulb in the light is the load. ;) Taken out of context, many things can be twisted. :p
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717877 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:52:22 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717838 3SGTE :
said by Doctor Olds See Profile :

Please do tell us exactly what side of a simple fuse in a fuse box that cannot have a ground applied to it?
Both. There are no loads in the part of the circuit before the fuse.

:p
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Striving for Parfection.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717838 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:46:34 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717459 offroadie : No I guess I know nothing about fuses, you know everything.

I tried to warn the op without tmi, but I guess you just feel you have to somehow prove you have superior knowledge.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717459 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:41:06 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717424 Doctor Olds :
said by offroadie See Profile :

Wow, you guys are unbelievable. I'm just trying to help a guy out. There are circuits in a vehicle you can't apply a ground to. Although unlikely, circuit damage can occur. With a test light you are applying ground to a circuit. It was wrong for me to inform the op of my experiences? Plus you wouldn't be using a voltmeter for an o2 sweep.
Please do tell us exactly what side of a simple fuse in a fuse box that cannot have a ground applied to it? Do you understand fuse basics? We are NOT talking about any computer controlled circuit testing, stay focused on the fuse testing. We don't recommend more complex tools when a simple tool will safely and properly do the job.

FYI, there are computer circuit safe test lights available and one would have been recommended if the OP were told to test any computer controlled circuits.

Lisle 24550 Computer Safe Circuit Tester
»www.amazon.com/Lisle-24550-Compu···0097CIO0
[att=1]
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717424 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:32:54 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717420 offroadie : I wasn't trying to be rude. Sorry if you took it that way. I just didn't give too much info because the op said he didn't know much about cars.
The windows circuits use a reverse polarity rest at ground circuit. If the other windows are working then it's one of two wires that has an open circuit. That harness is in the drivers kick panel. The dome light harness also runs through the drivers kick in that car. The door lock switching and power wires also run through a harness in the drivers kick panel. IIRC they are within two or three white plugs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717420 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:32:27 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717391 Angralitux : you are ignoring the fact that the probe light is another path to ground in this case, wouldn't be the fuse the same thing on such circuit, on the worst case? I understand that the probe light can damage something because it doesn't have the overcurrent protection that a fuses does, but just testing is not going to do a lot of damage, if just for a second.

Besides, fuses dont normally get blown, so testing them will help to pinpoint the circuit wich has the problem. I'm not trying to discourage you to give advice, but before you post something wich is against someone, try to be polite, and to justify your opinion.
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All Is possible...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717391 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:26:07 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717295 offroadie : Wow, you guys are unbelievable. I'm just trying to help a guy out. There are circuits in a vehicle you can't apply a ground to. Although unlikely, circuit damage can occur. With a test light you are applying ground to a circuit. It was wrong for me to inform the op of my experiences? Plus you wouldn't be using a voltmeter for an o2 sweep.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717295 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:10:42 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717168 Doctor Olds : Perhaps you should do some research on the basics of fuse testing and the long taught KISS principle. Its not like they are trying to measure TPS voltage or O2 sweep.
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717168 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:49:09 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717121 offroadie : A voltmeter is considered overkill? Do a little more research on modern electrical systems. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717121 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:41:46 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717104 Angralitux : OP thought the fuses were the problem, I was just pointing a correct procedure to test them in case he just did a visual inspection. It doesn't matter if you have 17 years or 17 minutes doing electrical jobs for the industry, you can't base a diagnosis on the comment of someone who "believes"; and who said he doesn't know a dime about cars.

Why you said a test light is not good? a voltmeter would be overkill as doctor olds said, just to test continuity.
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All Is possible...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717104 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:39:27 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717076 Doctor Olds : A volt meter is overkill for the simple On/Off testing of the fuses, it if the OP has one over the other they both show the same result. Either Voltage or no Voltage is present when tested on both legs.

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]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22717076 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:34:35 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22716986 offroadie : You don't want to use a test light in a modern car. Use a voltmeter. I've done automotive electrical for 17 years and the list of issues he's having doesn't sound like it's related to a fuse. It sounds like one of the harnesses or plugs that lead into the door. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22716986 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:20:58 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22716967 Angralitux : Wich procedure your friend used to check the fuses? in my experience just visual inspection is not enough, you should use a test light (probe light?) to see if current is passing thru.
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All Is possible...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22716967 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:16:21 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22716645 offroadie : Check the wiring in the door jamb. All the issues you are describing relate to the wiring going through the door boot.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22716645 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:05:53 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22696686 BonezX :
said by Maccawolf See Profile :

You sure it's a Honda and not a VOLKSWAGEN? :)
his friend wouldn't be able to check the fuses if it was a VW, there would just be a box that says "there are fuses here, but you as an owner should never touch these"

Tiguan ,2 heat shields and a crash plate catalytic converter drive shaft, need to be removed to change the drive light on the shifter. did i mention you can't get at it from inside the vehicle ?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22696686 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:28:08 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22696508 Maccawolf : You sure it's a Honda and not a VOLKSWAGEN? :)
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Mom and Crockett...... I miss you both!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22696508 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:36:49 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22692576 stevennb : Yes for someone who knows something about cars.
My car knowledge is hanging a tree air freshener. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22692576 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:51:42 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22692187 Vamp : You're taking it to a mechanic for those small little issues? They all seem easily traceable and fixable.
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20/20 FIOS || MSN Msgr: scott001^gmail_com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22692187 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:51:19 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22682265 stevennb : I (rather a friend) checked all the fuses and they all were ok.
Tommorow the Honda of love is going to the mechanic.

Thanks for the replies!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22682265 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:25:28 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22679494 pmohr : First thing I'd do is check all of the fuses. Sometimes a circuit will be run through a fuse with a label that doesn't seem at all relevant.

It's a good habit to get into when facing electrical issues, checking every fuse.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22679494 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:54:08 EDT Re: Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22678837 avd706 : see a mechanic, or auto electrical shop.
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Team JON.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22678837 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:33:31 EDT Electricial gremlins ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22678778 stevennb : Hi -

I have a Honda Civic LX (2001).

A few weird things have been happening to it as of late.

One , the right rear passenger power window won't go down.
I checked the fuses and the fuse is ok.

The dome light won't work at all, there's a switch for on and off and that doesn't do anything (I checked the bulb and it's fine).
Normally when you open the doors the light is supposed to come on.
It was until a few days ago. Then it stopped working, worked for a day and now...nothing.

Also , I can lock all/unlock all the doors from the door lock switch on the drivers side door. That all of a sudden crapped out.
The keyless remote doesn't activate the door either.

I suspect the door issue (s) is a actuator (or not) ...what do I know? My car knowledge is limited to...see 4 wheeled metal bodied vehicle and mutter to myself "mmmm car". :D
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"They moved my desk 4 times already this year and I used to be over by the window and I could see the squirrels and they were married, but then they moved my desk and they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22678778 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:24:05 EDT