sammich

Re-checked #2 fuse again. Still good (that was the first one I checked when getting started on this). All fuses still check good.

I "wiggled" some wires behind the struts today. They seemed pretty solid, and sealed as well. When I can get the car I'll take it to get the alternator and battery tested. I didn't put the radio in (done by "professionals" somewhere around Denver), but like I said, that was a couple of years ago and it has worked OK that whole time (everything has, in fact). The schematics that I've been able to see aren't totally clear to me, and when I look at the wire bundles I'm not sure where to start with a multi-meter (though they are color-coded to the schematic nicely)! I HATE electrical problems! I've even considered the ignition switch area (not sure how to get at that) due to the clock indicating total power loss every time the car is shut off, but starting up again (at 1:00, every time) each time the car is started. The dome lights stay off all the time, engine running or not, as do the parking and panel lights when switching parking lights on, and the radio.

Yep, first thing I did was clean battery connections and check all fuses, both under hood and by driver's leg. Even pulled the radio (it is an aftermarket installed a couple years ago) to see if any "obvious" loose wires. Checked electrical schematics to double and triple check fuses that seemed to be to those specific items. I have not checked grounds up by firewall (this isn't my car, so I don't have it full-time to doodle with). The battery did have a weak cell, which is why it was replaced. If everything had worked again that would have solved the problem, but the fact that those items mentioned do not work concerns me. I know a low amperage short can drain a battery slowly and not break a fuse (I had this happen once with an analog clock). The new battery will take a while to drain if that's the case, so I'm hoping for a broken circuit rather than a short. Just need help from you experienced folks on tracking the problem. Oh, and I'm not a young buck anymore, so crawling around under dashboards and hoods isn't the easy task it once was! Oh, and it just came up out of nowhere - the part where the radio quit working and the dome light, etc. Car worked on Friday, but then got in Sunday morning and a groan followed by the "click, click" of a dead battery (and no radio, domes, etc. when good battery attached) I suspect the battery was dying before that (an Interstate, still two years left on the "warranty"), but it always started normally. I do believe the alternator is charging, starter good, etc. Everything works fine now that new battery in as far as mechanics go. Just not those items mentioned (and maybe others that I haven't noticed on same circuit or circuits)

The victim: 1999 Impreza with 2.2 engine. Battery went dead and wouldn't hold a charge. Replaced it. Current symptoms (still): dome light, radio, and parking lights position don't work (which to me indicates a dead or shorted circuit). Fuses check OK. Clock goes to 1:00 everytime car is started (indicates to me a dead / broken circuit when key is off, but powered when key is on). Does anybody know of any tests to check for a low amperage short or broken circuit for these symptoms? Anybody got any ideas?