Car needs fixing

[tw]

Originally Posted by monster

But the switch itself is still working.

Nobody can answer your question without the wiring diagram. Any answer without that is only wild speculation.

What complicates a solution is the electronic control. Without knowing where that connects in the circuit, then no useful answer is possible.

[monster]

Which Question? You did not quote a question.

Here's a question: Are we any better off for that post? I think not. Thanks for playing State the Obvious without being Helpful. While you didn't win, you did score two bonus prizes for Repetition and Patronization. A reminder that contestants are only allowed to play a maximum number of six times and you have now exceded that quota.

p.s. I like wild speculation. AKA creative thinking.

[classicman]

guessing is FUN!

[classicman]

then again, at lest he didn't call you monnie...

[monster]

that's b/c a monnie is a specific electrical component of cars and fsm forbid inacuracy (It regulates the outside air through the fan when AC is on, and increases flow and moisture when nasty diseases are detected.

[xoxoxoBruce]

But he's still right, this isn't old school, dome light/light switch/door ground switches. It's a complex system of switches, relays and probably several modules (computers) involved. Without a wiring diagram, or at least a description of how the system works, there is no way to even begin to test for a solution.

Oh, and wire that used to carry just power, now carry power and signals, a lot of the time.

[sexobon]

Yes, which is why monster might try (if she hasn't already) disconnecting then reconnecting the positive battery cable to see if a power interuption restores default software settings. It won't help a hardware problem; but, it's easy enough to do and about the worst that can happen is that she'll have to reset the interior's clock.

[xoxoxoBruce]

That's possible, sometimes these modules get confused and need a trip to the wood shed.

[tw]

Originally Posted by monster

Here's a question: Are we any better off for that post?

Of course you are - if you were smart or nice. Where do you get the solution? Search the internet for that wiring diagram. Buy one in an auto parts store. Get it from the publisher (listed in the owner's manual). Or take the car to someone who has that diagram.

It was not obvious. If your car had a different system, then the answer is easy. Would be the same design that existed in all cars for 50 years. No wiring diagram needed - obviously. But yours is different. Your's requires a wiring diagram. This paragraph was not included in that post because I thought your were smart. Sorry for making an obvious mistake. Next time I will dumb it down for you.

[tw]

Originally Posted by sexobon

Yes, which is why monster might try (if she hasn't already) disconnecting then reconnecting the positive battery cable to see if a power interuption restores default software settings.

First, do not disconnect the positive cable. Good workmanship dictates disconnecting the negative cable.

Second, that can create other problems. For example, if she did not have the radio code, then the radio would no longer work. And radio presets may be lost. Other problems can also be created by that solution that typically would not solve anything.

Third, better is to identify the fuse that powers that circuit. But if the computer needs resetting, well, that is a function that already exists inside that computer; called a watchdog timer.

This type of problem cannot be solved without a wiring diagram due to the unique nature of that design. What existed even 50 years ago does not exist inside that car.

What xoxoxoBruce has described is often known as a CAN network. Designed by Intel long before the IBM PC existed. The design featured an 8051 single chip computer that was standard in all PC keyboards. It also existed long before the first IBM PC. Now one wire can replace tens or 100 wires. Fixing that door light is virtually impossible without the wiring diagram.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by tw

Second, that can create other problems. For example, if she did not have the radio code, then the radio would no longer work. And radio presets may be lost. Other problems can also be created by that solution that typically would not solve anything.

Not so, disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes will sometimes cause a network that is out of step to rest itself when power is restored. I see this frequently on automotive forums. I know it's not logical and a bit of a mystery as to why it works, but it costs nothing to try. Sure, the radio presets may be lost, but that's something anyone can remedy. It won't cause any further harm to the vehicle, if it did, anyone that has a battery die would be screwed.

[glatt]

Some radios have anti-theft codes that turn the radio into a brick if you remove it from a car. When power is cut to those radios, you have to enter the secret code into them to get them to work again. The dealer may be able to help you get that secret code, or they may not. When we bought our current car years ago, we had the option of arming this anti-theft code in our radio. We didn't, but a lot of people do.

There's a chance that Monster's car has such a radio. If she bought it new, she should know. If it was used, she wouldn't know.

I know about this issue because I had a dispute with an ebay seller who sold me a radio that has been disabled. I think he had no idea he was selling me a brick, but it was a pain for both of us.

[xoxoxoBruce]

That only happens when the radio is removed with power on. You don't have to have the dealer enter a secret code, every time you change the battery, or perform the many other service procedures that require disconnecting the battery.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

That only happens when the radio is removed with power on.

Radio does not know whether power was disconnected at its connector. Or disconnected at the battery.

Almost nobody knows what is in his car. What was once standared for 50 years is not, for example, in Monster's car. Informed layman do not disconnect the battery to reset something that should automatically reset itself. No risk. No complications. No confusion. No surprises. It's not your grandfather's car anymore. Speculation is no longer an option.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by tw

Radio does not know whether power was disconnected at its connector. Or disconnected at the battery.

Theft proof radios do, even with the radio off and the key off, the radio is still connected to the computer and seeing power, that's how it holds it's presets. When the radio loses power the computer will lock it up. When power is restored the computer knows the codes to enable the radio again. Some high-end radios lock up every time the ignition is locked, relying on the computer to unlock it.