Power

[tsirovy]

I was outside my car using the automatic start to start the engine and monitor everything. Suddenly my car wouldnt start and my negative battery terminal puffed smoke. Now nothing in my car has power. I tested the battery and its at about 12.6 Volts. I checked all fuses inside the car and the smaller fuses inside the engine bay. Is this just a relay that is broke? What would cause this problem?

 

[Lextreme II]

If there are some smoke, then somewhere having a short. I would double check the relays and trace some wires.

 

[tsirovy]

There is absolutely no power anywhere in the car! What is this nonsense??

 

[Lextreme II]

To start.... trace the battery and battery wires/connections.... and move your way to the fuse box....

 

[Zuffen]

Use your multimeter and test for continuity from the battery to the chasis and the battery to the fuse box.

My guess is you have a very high resistance joint developed in the negative battery cable.

If you don't have continuity use a jumper lead to go directly from the battery terminal to the chassis.

If this brings up some lights try cleaning the mounting points at each end of the cable. If that fails replace the cable.

 

[tsirovy]

How is it that you will know when a relay is faulty?

 

[tsirovy]

After replacing both cable fasteners that were painted red and black connected to the battery terminals. I found that the ground cable fastener was not allowing current to pass. Thanks for your help gentlemen.