Last week, the gauges on my dash board and all heating, radio etc stopped working all of a sudden while driving the car after half an hour or so. Also, the wipers speed dropped as well, I immediately thought battery problem. The car was running fine, and after few minutes of driving, everything came back again, wiper running on their regular speed. I checked battery connections, everything was fine, no rust or anything.

When I start the car, it runs fine, but after driving it for about half an hour, the same thing happen...could someone please help me troubleshoot what the issue is? I don't know much about cars, and don't have much money to get it looked at the mechanic.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Pattern noticed - Passenger seat belt/ air bag sign lits first, followed by ABS and e-parking brake light, and then all the gauges drop.

 

This is a complex computer controlled system (B-Can) and requires diagnostics similar to the engine; testing for Diagnostic Test Codes (DTC's). There is a procedure for DIY testing available in shop manual. If you have no experience w/ automotive diagnostics, this may not be helpful. This system does not lend itself to an "easy fix".

To access the diagnostic procedures, you will need to purchase a shop manual from automanualsource.com for $22.

good luck

 

It may be related to the charging system (e.g alternator, wiring, etc.). Many auto parts shops will test the battery and charging system for free. In addition, if the Check Engine Light was on, some parts stores will also read trouble codes for free.

 

You're not kidding. I have the service manual, and I did get my gauge odometer to display the B-CAN codes. It's a confusing system, with different test modes etc. I still don't understand most of it, so it's impossible to explain it here.

 

Thanks everyone for your input, really appreciate your feedback....Too bad, they don't do the complimentary battery, alternator check here in canada.

I got the car checked from a mechanic today, and he figured it's the alternator. I'll be getting it replaced tomorrow and hopefully that should fix the problem.

Thanks!!!!

 

okay, looks like it's not the alternator either. I got it replaced with a brand new one, and the car died again. The mechanic said the battery is okay, so not sure what other areas I should be looking at....please help

 

If you can get a copy of the helm service manual, it has information on testing the MICU. Simply replacing part after part, until you find the right part, can get very expensive. You need someone who will actually diagnose your problem, instead of just throwing parts at it. I'm thinking ignition switch at this point, but that's just a guess. Can you get anything to happen by sort of jiggling the key while the engine is running? Good luck

 

My mechanic was thinking the alternator could be faulty and has replaced it twice and it blows right away when the car is started...some wires could be shorting somewhere, not sure......is there any way to check that? I am losing so much sleep over this.

 

The system is fused to protect against massive overload.

Something likely fundamentally wrong w/ battery wires or B+ wire to alternator. I would also suggest having alternator tested by auto parts store to confirm it's failed.

You need a new mechanic w/ more expertise in auto electrical systems.

good luck

 

Ok, finally got it sorted out...thanks everyone once again for your support. I had the starter changed on my car few weeks ago, and it appears the shop that replaced it didn't attach all the wires properly, so one of the wire was shorting out and frying the alternator....Unfortunately, two brand new alternator were blown because of this until my mechanic figured out the problem, but thankfully the alternators were covered under the warranty. Once that wire was attached correctly, everything started working fine....