THSCC Forums

Hey guys, lets think this one through. That block is made to have the terminals shorted together. That means that in the phenolic block shorting strips run from one terminal to another. One of those strips has opened up. WHY????
The most likely cause is corrosion, Vibration shouldn't be a factor because everything is molded into the phenolic block, so that should be solid. If corrosion is the cause you'll see it again, cause that stuff doesn't cure itself.
My point is change it before it fails again. The cause of the problem is still there. Loosing power to the terminal is only the effect of the problem.
Another probablity is that there was a momentary overcurrent due to a short circuit on one of the wires that the terminal feeds. If it is that you can expect to see it again also. But in as much as you driven the car since the fault, its less likely that this is your problem.
Just my humble opinion.

_________________
2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

this is jason to remind steve to SHUT UP!

More info...that I haven't though about since I bought that car.

When I bought the car, even with the key out of the ignition, the car still had power to the radio, the dash lights, etc. It was just like the car had the key in, and was sitting in the ACC position. The guy who owned the car just pulled one of the battery cable leads when he got out of the car. He had said that the car used to have an alarm in it when his uncle owned it. When they pulled the alarm out, that's when the whole electrical strangeness started.

Once we got the kill switch in the car, I don't think any of us thought about that again, as the car was usually stored with the kill switch in the off position.

_________________
Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

May I suggest an electric dog collar to replace the crotch strap on the 5 point harness? Just power it from the coil so it shoots 150,000v through it when the car overheats or overrevs, you could even wire it in to the ABS light so it fires when the ABS engages (or the brakes lock up).... You could completely eliminate the need for ANY warning lights.




Come see me at the RallyX, I'll get one of those junction blocks for you. May I suggest you go ahead and replace it now, then keep the old one as a spare (maybe mark "bad" or "original" on it??)?? They're really easy to change, just 2 bolts hold it to the firewall and then the one nut that holds those 2 small wires on there- the big cable is held down with another 2 bolts.

HMM, sounds like maybe a problem with the ignition switch, or some of the re-wiring done when the alarm was removed (???).


Ignition switch can be removed + redone with a basic toggle switch if you think that's a problem, a problem with the wiring/crimping will just take some time with a meter and a close visual of all the splices.



EDIT: did a little more research, and there is a fusible link in the small wire that comes from the + terminal of the battery to that junction block. This thing can cause the issues you describe. It's just a piece of smaller gauge wire spliced inline in that wire, back near the battery in the trunk. It's covered with heat shrink tubing. Many people who have possible problems with this thing just splice in a heavy duty fuse holder with a 60-80a fuse in place of the fusible link.

IMHO, definitely worth checking out- though it doesn't explain the electrical problems Tom mentioned, it could very well be causing the power problems you guys had this weekend.


AFAIK, that junction block at the firewall is nothing more than a mounting block for the battery cable and a terminal connector for the small wires to make contact. There is NOTHING hidden in the block that takes power from one side to the other, and there are no hidden contacts. It's a plastic block that holds the big cable, with a threaded stud that the 2 small wires attach to, that's it.

Thanks for the advice from Bernie and Bret. We'll work that out and move on to the half throttle miss.

_________________
Rubbin' is Racin'

I thought you guys drove flatout?

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9

flatout, that is how i drive.

electric dog collar.. hmmmmmnmnn, i'm getting all tingley just thinking about it.

_________________
BenchWarmer Motorsports

another one of those damn LeMons heads

just another Chump

we are an Autocross Club Dammit............