Huge Electrical Problem in my TL

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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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Huge Electrical Problem in my TL

Sorry to make a new thread guys, but i searched and didnt really get what i was looking for based on my problem. Heres what happened: i was messing around with the auto dim mirror and unplugging it as well as the over head lights. I accidently plugged the light power into where the auto dim plug goes underneath the head liner and it made a funny noise. I took it out quickly and started the car but none of my gauges work. The power windows and sunroof also dont work. When i put the car into D it slams into it and is really violent and not smooth at all. Could this all be a transmission problem? Did i short out the electric work? Whats going on here? any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:03 PM
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Did you check for blown fuses?
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:05 PM
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check both fuse boxes for any blown fuses first...
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:10 PM
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i actually changed the fuse for the passenger window and nothing changed. Is there a fuse for the instrument pannel (gauges). Also the battery light is showing up when the key is in the second position which is the only light on the dash, so ill probably have it scanned tommorw. How can i tell if a fuse is blown?
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:20 PM
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i actually changed the fuse for the passenger window and nothing changed. Is there a fuse for the instrument pannel (gauges). Also the battery light is showing up when the key is in the second position which is the only light on the dash, so ill probably have it scanned tommorw. How can i tell if a fuse is blown?
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:31 PM
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Just take the fuse out and look at it. There is one box on the driver's side, one passenger side and one under the hood passenger side.
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 09:37 PM
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If a fuse is blown the metal filament in the center of the plastic will be broken, very easy to tell. Just make sure you use the same rated fuse to replace them if they are blown, i.e. 7.5 amp for a 7.5 amp.
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Old Sep 24, 2007 | 10:12 PM
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curiosity killed the cat lol.
seriously tho, good luck with your situation and we'll all pray it isnt a tranny problem
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 07:36 AM
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Unplugging it shouldnt have caused a noise. Did you pill on the wire? Did it sound like something electrical arching?
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 02:28 PM
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It was when I plugged the light power into where the auto dim miirror goes, that it made a noise. And ever since then it all stopped working. My dad took it to his mechanic today so im just hoping its nothing too serious.

Is the way I described the transmission shifting hard a symptom of a tranny failure? If so ill sell it sooon lol, or swap in the 6 speed that people seem to be doing lately
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 03:56 PM
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did it go into gear like that before you had this electrical issue?
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 04:31 PM
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I've got a 3G manual, so I'm not sure the circuit diagram applies to a 2G, but on the 3G the auto dim mirror is connected to the MICU (Multiplex Integrated Control Unit) on a TL with A/T. This signals the mirror not to dim if you're in reverse.

Anyway, the MICU is also connected to the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) which is also connected to the Gauge Control Module.

So it's not too hard to believe that by connecting power to the auto dim connecter, current could have been sent to all of these components.

I'd check fuses first, but I'm guessing it's no coincidence that your having trouble with the transmission and the gauges don't work. I can't offer an explaination for the power windows.

Good luck - I hope it's just a fuse.
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 08:46 PM
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Well guys thanks for all your help, it turned out to be the fuses. We replaced each blown fuse and everything went back to working order. The transmission isnt as violent but were replacing the passenger ball joint which should reduce some vibrations and roughness from the tranny shaking i guess. Now that everything is okay, i noticed that the car does not pick up like it used to. This could just be in my head, but it doesnt really pull as hard as it used to and vtec isnt as loud. Any ideas as to what it could be or is it just in my head?
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 08:49 PM
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I dunno speaking of the vtec problems, after I got my new ECU, my vtec seems to kick in right under 4K RPMS instead of higher when it used to.
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by KSuchdeve
I dunno speaking of the vtec problems, after I got my new ECU, my vtec seems to kick in right under 4K RPMS instead of higher when it used to.
just curious, why did u need a new ecu?
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Old Sep 25, 2007 | 11:10 PM
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Burned it out trying to do the door handle LED mod. Tapped into the wrong wires so I sent power to the wrong part of ECU and fried it.
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by danny5198
Well guys thanks for all your help, it turned out to be the fuses. We replaced each blown fuse and everything went back to working order. The transmission isnt as violent but were replacing the passenger ball joint which should reduce some vibrations and roughness from the tranny shaking i guess. Now that everything is okay, i noticed that the car does not pick up like it used to. This could just be in my head, but it doesnt really pull as hard as it used to and vtec isnt as loud. Any ideas as to what it could be or is it just in my head?
Did you check the fuse box in the engine bay as well as the ones inside the car?
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 09:20 AM
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I'm glad that the problem was just with the fuses!

While it can be a hassle, it's best to disconnect the car's battery whenever you're hooking up any electrical items or rewiring anything. It doesn't take much of a voltage spike or short to fry a lot of expensive electronics.
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 01:23 PM
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Try disconnecting the battery for maybe 30 mins. It'll reset the ECU (as well as the radio so make sure you have the radio code).
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by t0ast
Try disconnecting the battery for maybe 30 mins. It'll reset the ECU (as well as the radio so make sure you have the radio code).
There is no need to disconnect the battery. You can pull the passengers side Clock Backup fuse for a min and it will reset it
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by KSuchdeve
Burned it out trying to do the door handle LED mod. Tapped into the wrong wires so I sent power to the wrong part of ECU and fried it.
thats funny you say that, because to be honest i fried my fuses by trying to hardwire my radar detector lol. Everything is perfect now, and I would reccomend replacing ball joints on your cars if needed, because the ride is much smoother.
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