midnightsunset

After relocating from CA to UT, I had my car on a 4 wheel rental bed and it has been experiencing an electrical issue since it arrived (assuming due to all the vibration).

It started on a return drive from a local meet. The EPS light started to flicker, the radio went in and out and and the ABS light came on. I started to pull over when the EPS light stayed on and the power steering went out. Towed the car back home.

Disconnected the battery and replaced the fuses thinking that there was a bad connection. Started the car up and ran fine for a few days.

I try to start the car one day and the battery is dead. I replaced it before the move because the prior one died and this one was brand new. Jumped the car, but the battery was so far gone that it wouldn't hold a charge even being jumped.

For all the strangeness with that (will get back to it) I got it charged and the care was fine again for a couple days and then the same flicker of the EPS/ABS/Radio, but now the dash interior light was flickering on and off and the alarm went on and off.

Right now all the finger point to the alarm becuase it has not been working for over a year and I never replaced it or fixed it. The fact that a brand new battery died in less than 1 month points to something draining the battery while the car is not being operated and that is the only thing i can think of.

Since I am a noob when it comes this I was hoping i could get some advice on how to go about fixing it or concluding where the problem is definitely coming from.

Thanks

-Joshua

Fast Jack

First place I would look is the battery,since it runs fine as long as it is charged.Car not throwing any codes? Alarm. Alternator can test good but when tested for amperage be bad IIRC.And do lots of strange things.Let us know what u find out.

jeffbrig

I would investigate the charging system first. If that checks out, then I'd put a current meter on the battery and see if something in the car is drawing excessive current.

midnightsunset

I highly doubt it is the battery at all. It is brand new and when it died I took it in under waranty and it tested "GOOD" as I expected. Car is not throwing any codes at all.

I plan to try to disconnect the alarm myself, but as stated earlier i am a noob when it come to electrics, wiring, etc.

fatjoe10

That's most likely an alternator failing. I had the same symptoms and that was the culprint. If you have a voltimeter try to hook up the leads to the battery terminals while the car is running and see if the voltage is above 14 or so... if it is in the 12's or less most likely the battery is not getting charged and that's why it keeps dying.

fatjoe10

also, check the negative battery cable where it attached to the firewall. Sometimes it will fray at the clamp and create problems....

midnightsunset

[QUOTE=fatjoe10,Sep 12 2009, 08:02 PM]That's most likely an alternator failing.

midnightsunset

Well the eletrical dilemma seems to have been solved. I had a local audio store with a ton of experience and good recommendations come by and disconnect the alarm and rewire the system.

The aftermarket alarm installed was terrible. There were many loose connections and it was wrapped poorly in electrical tape. The audio store told me that I was the 3rd S2000 to have come in that week to have their alarm uninstalled.

The alternator does need to be replaced, but it wasn't the issue as to why the car would malfunction. Once I replace it if I still have the car I will update in one month for anyone to reference this issue if they have a similar problem in the future.

Cheers and thanks to everyone for their input.