Write up: Car won't start but still have power to lights
07-10-07, 02:04 PM
#1
Write up: Car won't start but still have power to lights
OK well I searched and asked and got my hands dirty so I thought I'd make a writeup for you guys in the same boat.
Long story short my car died after I hit a bump. After checking it out the headlights, interior lights, hazards, and door chime all still worked. Thinking it through logically this was an electrical problem. No tracing it down was a bit more of a challenge.
Logic brought me to the conlusion that it had something to do with one of a couple of things. The following is a list of possible causes and ways to go about it.
1. The battery pooped out. This is a bit abrupt for a battery just to die without showing any warning signs. However it still could happen.
a. First check the battery terminal connections
b. If they look fine find jumper cables and a friend. Buy him a beer for helping you out then try jumping the car. If this doesn't work this is not the problem
2. One of the grounds came off of the car. This is a decent possibility if your car just shut off. The car is grounded through the starter and then on the driver side strut tower near the bottom.
a. Disconnect the battery
b. Check the strut tower one first as its easiest. Undo the bolt and inspect the wire, look for any abrasions or any other damage. If it looks fine then put it back on.
c. Jack the car up on the driver side, and look at the starter. Mazda in all its infinite wisdom decided to make a ground that looks like a female terminal ??? Instead of a bolt type of deal. Make sure this is connected onto the starter and free of abrassions.
d. If grounds look fine and are connected this is not the problem
3. Main fuse blew. This could happen because (as someone previously mentioned) the battery came loose and hit the underside of the hood of the car, shorting the connection.
a. Disconnect the battery
b. Go to the main fuse box in the engine bay. Undo the bolts on each side. Then on each side of the box you will see a flap. Open the flaps on each side and undo the 2 nuts on the side closer to the front of the car .. and then undo the 1 bolt on the other side of the box.
c. Pull out 80A fuse and find a test light. Attach the test light and see if the fuse is good or not.
d. If it tests okay this is not the problem
4. Ignition Connection came loose. THIS IS THE MOST LIKELY CASE IF YOUR LIGHTS STILL WORK AS THEY ARE NOT ATTACHED TO ANY ACCESSORY OR IGNITION FUNCTIONS.
a. At the ignition switch connector it would be the two wire one with a pure black wire and a black/white wire. The pure black feeds 12v to the ignition switch.
b. Check the connection and if its loose reconnect and your problem is solved.
Search words: No power - Engine not starting - No accesory - Blown Fuse - No Ignition
Long story short my car died after I hit a bump. After checking it out the headlights, interior lights, hazards, and door chime all still worked. Thinking it through logically this was an electrical problem. No tracing it down was a bit more of a challenge.
Logic brought me to the conlusion that it had something to do with one of a couple of things. The following is a list of possible causes and ways to go about it.
1. The battery pooped out. This is a bit abrupt for a battery just to die without showing any warning signs. However it still could happen.
a. First check the battery terminal connections
b. If they look fine find jumper cables and a friend. Buy him a beer for helping you out then try jumping the car. If this doesn't work this is not the problem
2. One of the grounds came off of the car. This is a decent possibility if your car just shut off. The car is grounded through the starter and then on the driver side strut tower near the bottom.
a. Disconnect the battery
b. Check the strut tower one first as its easiest. Undo the bolt and inspect the wire, look for any abrasions or any other damage. If it looks fine then put it back on.
c. Jack the car up on the driver side, and look at the starter. Mazda in all its infinite wisdom decided to make a ground that looks like a female terminal ??? Instead of a bolt type of deal. Make sure this is connected onto the starter and free of abrassions.
d. If grounds look fine and are connected this is not the problem
3. Main fuse blew. This could happen because (as someone previously mentioned) the battery came loose and hit the underside of the hood of the car, shorting the connection.
a. Disconnect the battery
b. Go to the main fuse box in the engine bay. Undo the bolts on each side. Then on each side of the box you will see a flap. Open the flaps on each side and undo the 2 nuts on the side closer to the front of the car .. and then undo the 1 bolt on the other side of the box.
c. Pull out 80A fuse and find a test light. Attach the test light and see if the fuse is good or not.
d. If it tests okay this is not the problem
4. Ignition Connection came loose. THIS IS THE MOST LIKELY CASE IF YOUR LIGHTS STILL WORK AS THEY ARE NOT ATTACHED TO ANY ACCESSORY OR IGNITION FUNCTIONS.
a. At the ignition switch connector it would be the two wire one with a pure black wire and a black/white wire. The pure black feeds 12v to the ignition switch.
b. Check the connection and if its loose reconnect and your problem is solved.
Search words: No power - Engine not starting - No accesory - Blown Fuse - No Ignition
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