2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

electric help needed, possible short

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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 02:33 PM
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electric help needed, possible short

Just got my first rx-7. It is a 1988. Having a few electrical problems.

My clock will either reset or just turn off and then back on at some later time and I have not seen a pattern. I also just installed a new stereo and it will loose all of it presets like somehow the main power was disconnect.

Both of these issues just seem to happen every once in a while. The clock issue was happening when there was no radio what so ever.

I have tried to make sure all harness are push together but it seems like it a short somewhere. Any ideas on how to track down before I try to take to a mechanic?

TIA
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 02:38 PM
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Maybe you didn't ground your stereo correctly. I read alot about S4 clocks always going bad.. do a search on that.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 03:05 PM
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Will check but clock was doing it before there was even a stereo in it.

Something else I forgot to mention is that everyone once in a while when I shut the car off, the stereo starts to turn on and it. It is like I am turning the key on and off.

When this wierd stuff happens, everything else seems to be ok.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 03:12 PM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
One of two things probably:

1. loose or blown dome/room fuse.

2. The clock warning panel needs re-soldering, rebuilding or replacement.

Its a very common thing. If you think you are good with a soldering iron you can try doing it yourself. You will want re-solder all the board connections where the circuit boards meet the plug and the small jumper harnesses.

I also have many types of FC Clock/idiot light panels on my website available for purchase. PM me if you need the website address.

Last edited by Icemark; Nov 14, 2003 at 03:14 PM.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 03:25 PM
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Maybe your car is haunted?
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 04:16 PM
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would the clock loosing power have anything to do with the stereo loosing power?

By the way, I am not ruling out the car be haunted:>)
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 04:54 PM
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Originally posted by caoict
would the clock loosing power have anything to do with the stereo loosing power?

By the way, I am not ruling out the car be haunted:>)
Justr thinking that it may be two different things rather than one single thing.

Everytime the clock looses memory does the radio also loose memory (and of course Vis-versa)?
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 07:16 PM
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Not sure yet. Just got the radio put in yesterday.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 09:07 PM
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2nd Gen 7's have a real problem with the solderings to the idiot cluster and clocks going bad, you might want to just strip the whole dash and see what the solderings look like and you might need to resolder
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:12 PM
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Think I have found someone to resolder the clock/idiot lights. If I unplug and send away to get fixed, is it ok to still drive the car?
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:21 PM
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sure
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Old Nov 16, 2003 | 05:27 PM
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From: Kansas
Replace all rear bulbs and cleaned the sockets with electrical cleaner. Also used blub grease.

Thought it was fixed, but then it came back. Nothing with the clock yet though.

Also switched out the room fuse but have not seen anything yet.

Thanks for all the help.
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Old Nov 16, 2003 | 10:30 PM
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This happened to me and it was a loose battery connection. Clean and tighten them. If not at the battery, it's likely a loose connection somewhere else in the common path between the battery and the clock and radio.
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Old Nov 17, 2003 | 08:45 AM
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something else wierd happened this morning. I used the cig lighter for the first time to charge my phone. When I turned the car off everything was fine, I then unplugged my phone charger, and the radio started turning on and off. At this time the car was off and the keys turned off. I plugged the charger back in and it stopped. Did this a few times and the pattern continued. If I turn keys back on, manually turn off the radio, the turn car off it is fine.

This is really wierd.
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