View Full Version : Help!!! Short Circuit
dillirk
03-01-2004, 05:26 PM
I have a short in the 20A fuse, in the engine compartment fuse box. Does anyone know what circuit this is? I don't have an owner's manual, and I washed the sticker off when I steam cleaned the engine and didn't notice for two weeks!
dillirk
03-01-2004, 05:29 PM
Sorry... The one on the right, fourth one up.
There are a few 20 amp fuses in there. Do you know what number fuse it is.
On an 88 i think that is fuse #4 which is for horn, brake lights, automatic seat belts.
See if your horn or brake lights work.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 05:35 PM
I'v found the thread that describes how to fix this brake and horn work fine, it is probably the seat belts. Thanks.
If the fuse is blown the horn and brake lights shouldn't work. So it might be different on an 89 SEi. Was the fuse blown when you checked the horn?
dillirk
03-01-2004, 05:46 PM
The fuse is good but there is power going through it when the key is off draining my battery.
That fuse is suppose to be hot all the time. That is why the horn, brake lights and seat belts work without the key being on. That is normal.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 05:56 PM
If that is the case, then why is it draining so much power? It is making it very hard to start.
HostileJava
03-01-2004, 06:01 PM
Do you have a system in the car? Could be putting to much of a strain on your alternater. Also could have a bad batt. or alternater going bad. If your having trouble getting the car to turn over after turning it off, take it to pep boys or autozone. They'll usually do a free batt/alt test.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:03 PM
We have had the battery tested at Autozone already, we are checking the alternator right now.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:04 PM
The alternator is fine, it ran without the battery.
'89AccordLX(Rus)
03-01-2004, 06:04 PM
If you are sure that that circuit is causing a drain, try disconnecting each component on the circuit and check for power drain. It may be just a small component that has worn out.
It shouldn't be draining any power unless your brake lights stay on all the time or something like that. What is happening that makes you think that it is draining power and making it hard to start?
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:08 PM
Ok, on the seatbelt retractors, there are two plugs in each and they all have to be unplugged for the test light to go dim. If any one of them is plugged in then it goes bright again. I have the test light connected between the negative battery cable, and the negative terminal.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:13 PM
This may make it a bit easier to understand. If the car sits for about 2 days, the battery is dead, and it will not start. But, now we just changed the clutch and the tranny, and when I turn off the car for a few minutes is has issues starting, sometimes it has no power at all, and I had the battery checked, and charged.
How are the battery cables? Clean and tight on both ends? Check both sides of the ground wire.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:17 PM
Cables are good on both ends, although I will be putting a bigger ground on
But, now we just changed the clutch and the tranny, and when I turn off the car for a few minutes is has issues starting, sometimes it has no power at all, and I had the battery checked, and charged.
OK, by this do you mean that when you turn the key you don't get nothing, not even a click? This might be a shot in the dark but, I believe that an 89 has a clutch switch. Which means that you have to hold in the clutch to start. Maybe this is the culprit. Just a thought.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:27 PM
This is a confusing problem, I have made sure that the clutch is all the way in everytime I start it.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:28 PM
I will check the clutch switch in a min.
Yeah, but when it gives you trouble starting after a few minutes do you even hear a click or anything when you try to start? Then does it just start? I'm just saying even though you are holding in the clutch maybe the clutch switch is loose or going bad.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:35 PM
You make a very good point. When I try to start it sometimes it sounds like it wants to start, and then it doesn't. Then if I try to turn it over again there is nothing, not even a click. So, maybe that is it.
cruznz
03-01-2004, 06:37 PM
Ok, on the seatbelt retractors, there are two plugs in each and they all have to be unplugged for the test light to go dim. If any one of them is plugged in then it goes bright again. I have the test light connected between the negative battery cable, and the negative terminal.
Hmmm....shot in the dark here,...but if it tests with the key in the off position,...i would think you have a short in that system
dillirk
03-01-2004, 06:48 PM
OK. The clutch switch may be going bad but even when it does work the starter isn't getting enough juice to turn very fast. Im going to leave these retractors unplugged tonight and see what happens in the morning. If this solves my problem what do these do other than make the seatbelt light in the dash flash. And is there any adjustment to the clutch switch or do I have to replace it?
Do you have automatic seatbelts?
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:00 PM
Yes, but they haven't been retracting correctly since we bought the car
That might be the problem, there are soleniods, and switches in that system. You could have a bad switch or soleniod that is draing the battery.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:12 PM
would I have to replace the whole thing or just the solenoid, or switch
Just whatever is bad. I would check the switches first. They control the solenoid. If one isn't working properly it could be energizing the solenoid all the time.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:19 PM
I just found out that Honda seatbelts have a lifetime warranty, most dealerships do not want to admit that that under warranty, but they will usually replace them completely free of charge. The lifetime warranty generally covers seatbelts that do not retract properly, or will no longer latch. Honda is worried about the liability of someone getting injured due to seatbelt malfunctions.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:21 PM
How do I check the switches and relays?
Well there you go. When you get a chance run down to the dealer and let them fix it for free. You can't beat that.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:24 PM
Oh, I gave you the wrong answer before, we do not have automatic seatbelts.
I don't have automatic seatbelts on my car so I don't know alot, but I believe that you should have 2 switches on your doors. 1 Turns on the dome light and the other is for the seatbelt. I think they are similar. The dome light one grounds out with the door open. The seatbelt one (I think, not sure) grounds out with the door closed.
Oh well, forget all that then. I was replying and didn't know that you don't have automatic seat belts.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:28 PM
Ya, so I think that I am going to go the dealership tomorrow, and see what I can get done there.
dillirk
03-01-2004, 07:45 PM
Hey guys, thanks for all the help!
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