Electrical gremlin PISSING ME OFF!!!!!

[D_Eclipse9916]

Okay so ive had this electrical gremlin since I bought the car. The car would lose battery charge quickly and also during driving, if I have more than two accessories going (AKA windshield wipers one, headlights two, radio three) then the car would not have enough energy to keep the car going. At first I thought bad battery/alternator sicne thje battery was old and the alternator was also not showing much life at idle.

However, after I replaced these items with an optima red top and new alternator the problem continues. I dont feel bad cuz they needed to be replaced anyway, but it pissed me off that there was more of a problem. There is a draw somewhere in the system. I havent had much time nor experience enough in electronics to pinpoint it. So far I have elimnated a lot of things, the voltmeter would show healthy volts/amp without any accessories but owuld drop drastically as more accesories were put on. We ended up turning off the car and noticed the battery was losing charge FAST!!! We pulled fuses and put em back in trying to find the culprit, we found it, but not necessarily the easiest to fix, it turned out to be the ignition fuse of all things. Leading it to be almost ANYTHING.

For any of you that have managed to read all of this and know anything that could help fix this problem let me know. If any of you are experts and think you could fix it by taking a look at my car ill provide beer and pizza! Or if you would like 20 bucks or something. I hope someone will be able to help me, maybe make a friend and not charge my broke ass!

[D_Eclipse9916]

Oh another thing, it wont start without sitting there for a while and turning the key, (not a problem cranking), it just doesnt have enough charge from the battery to start the car. Everytime it takes a while, the CEL pops up. Maybe that owuld help pinpoint it? or is it just like, HEY DUMMY not enough charrge, there is something wrong...duh...

[Jeff]

I'd be more then happy to play with it. My Sebring was having a similar problem, with the acception of dying while driving. It took me 2 weekends (and 3 jump starts during the week) to find out it was the damn trunk light staying on. Electrical stuff is fun, IM or PM me and we can hang out and work on it. I work for free with MM friends

PS-IM is same as forum name

[BLINGMW]

Electrical stuff is fun

YOU'RE NUTS :lol:

and it's not any one accessory that causes the huge drop? Just having any multiple does? My only guess would be a frayed wire somewhere (like the positive cable to the car harness, maybe in fuse box area, or could be even a ground) that's heating up and causing major losses as its capacity is being exceeded. I fear fire. :thumbup:

[Jeff]

Could it be some issue with a ground somewhere on the alternator? Mine was a slow leak, his is a major pulldown. I would start up front somethere at the major arteries

[BLINGMW]

I'm with you, it's a BIG wire. Check those. :wink:

[Andy]

Oh another thing, it wont start without sitting there for a while and turning the key, (not a problem cranking), it just doesnt have enough charge from the battery to start the car. Everytime it takes a while, the CEL pops up. Maybe that owuld help pinpoint it? or is it just like, HEY DUMMY not enough charrge, there is something wrong...duh...

I don't think CEL comes on for electrical shorts. What does the CEL say? What are your voltage readings?

[D_Eclipse9916]

I dont know if its a ground or what? I dont know what the cel means either cuz I dont have a scanner. I was actually about to replace all the grounds with 4-guage wire but circuit city is out and online its hella expensive not making it worth the effort. I applied to circuit city as a job, hopefully they will accept me and hopefully by then theyll have ground wire and I can get some.

TurboOmni08- I Added you to my buddy list, ill IM you and see what we can work out. You can see how craptastic my car is right now cuz im in the middle of like 3 projects....

[.RJ]

Why 4 ga? That seems overkill......