Car: '90 80Q

Friday I installed a new CD player and subwoofer into the car. Drove the car some on Saturady and Sunday with no problems.

On Monday (today) I took the car out and ran a few errands around 10am. Since I had the car out I drove around a little after finishing my errands (since I was driving it anyway), drove around about 20 minutes. Returned home with no problems, car is still acting normally.

Went out at 11:15am to run two more errands. Got done with the first ran to the next stop. After finishing second errand I unlock the car get in and start it up BUT the "open door" buzzer continues to go off (although it sounds like it's sick)!! I also notice that my radio is not working either...it's not even lit up!!

Drive the car the mile home with the "SICK" buzzer going off the entire time (and no radio). Leaving the car running I open the door and the instrument panel clock goes off but the buzzer goes back to it's normal sound. Shut the door and the clock comes back on and the "sick" buzzer returns!!

I shut the car off and remove the key the sound stops. Restart the car and the "sick" buzzer comes back. I shut the car off and leave key in igniton and open door...clock again shuts off and normal buzzer returns. I also notice at this time that the dome light does not work. Try to switch the dome light on and nothing!! After checking the fuses I discover that NO fuses are blown.


To summerize:
1) With door open I get normal buzzer but no clock
2) With car started I get a "sick" buzzer.
3) I have no radio.
4) I have no dome light.
5) Central locks work normally(not really important)
6) NO fuses are blown!!!

What's wrong??

HINT: It's a very simple fix!!

Anyone have a guess?? I'll respond with the solution later tonight!!
---
Andrew
90 80Q (All better now)
91 90
95 90Q

 

Faulty door switch?

 

NOPE...it's easier than that!!

 

It kinda sounds like a "ground" problem???

 

That was my initial thought too, but it's also wrong!!

 

Is it related to the cd and sub install?

 

is your emergency brake on?

 

Indirectly!!

 

Nope....but it's about that easy to fix!!

 

..a loose fuse. I know, it's not that exciting!!

{Theory #1} The best I can figure is that when I replaced the fuse (~3 months ago) I didn't quite get it in all the way. After installing the sub I think it was able to vibrate it out just enough so that it was barely making contact.

(Theory #2) It was the coldest day of the year thus far and the metal contracted enough as to not make a good contact.


Anyway, after I pushed the #4 fuse (interior lights, clock,..etc.) all the way everything returned to normal. The thing that gave it away to me was NO interior lights in either position. Although the first thing I thought happened was I burnt a wire on the back of the radio (sometimes it's good to be wrong)!!!

The only thing I don't understand is the "sick" buzzer after the car was started....eveything else makes sense.

Oh well, it all works correctly now. Thanks for playing along everyone!!!
---
Andrew
90 80Q (Behaving like it should)
91 90
95 90Q