Alright guys - need a little help. I've seen a thread here before about this, but can't remember what the outcome / fix was nor can I find the thread (I did search).

Here's some background:
This Sunday my stock headunit started buzzing and clicking at me when I tried to change a CD. Wouldn't play or do anything other than click and show an error code of ER-E1. I fixed this with a swift bitch-slap to the passenger side console yesterday while I hit the eject button. Worked like a champ - all CDs came out.

Not sure if this is related to the problem or not - seems unlikely, but I wanted you to have all the info I do. Also, no other electrical or mechanical mods in recent weeks / months.

This AM (raining pretty hard) I was running headlights, fog lights (with aftermarket HID kit and alternate fog mod), wipers on intermittent, radio, heat, and heated seats. The dash lights flicked off, the tach and speedo needles dropped towards zero, the radio lights, and AC control lights blinked as well. All this happened in a split second, but repeated 3 times within a 4 or 5 minute period.

Does anyone remember the fix to this or can point me in the direction of the thread I remember reading. Any help would be appreciated.

 

sounds like an alternator or ignition issue

 

do you have any heavy shit on your keys?

 

really? got a new alternator about 15K miles ago with the 105K service. still could be shot i guess. possibly the ignition switch?

negative ghost rider. in fact, the heaviest thing i have (besides the coke residue - jk) is the remote fob and my house key. i only have 2 keys on this ring.

 

Im going with alternator or battery/wire issue

At max load you have a problem- turn off some load dude!
Want to know how much the seat heaters draw- plus the fan- and the lights??!!

Someone else driving 2 miles per trip is having battery drain issues and not getting it recharged--as a heads up to others

Get to the parts store for a free check of the charging and starting system

Parts can fail in a day, a month, six months, or 5 years- always suspect the most recent fix!!

 

FirePR2002, sounds like my car. It seems this behavior occurs when the fan (under the hood) comes on. I think it's electrical as well.

 

I had that same issues a few months ago as you described, turns out the battery terminals had a slight corrosion. I pulled the terminals off, clean the battery post and connector- everything was good after that. How old is your battery btw?

 

its the ignition switch dude mines did the same shit today 56 for switch 61 for pepboys to put it in cheaper than the dealer

 

$52 from the dealer online and about 30 minutes to install yourself

 

all was fine on the way home last night and to the office today. didn't get a chance to check under the hood due to bad weather last night. will check today, but i wouldn't be surprised if its a battery issue - don't think i've replaced it in the time i've owned it, plus i get corrosion build up on the terminals due to the humidity here.

 

If you are getting a battery, optimas don't seem to have as much of a problem with terminal corrosion. The felt washers and anti corrosion sprays work as well.

 

It could definitely be the ignition switch. I got the same tachometer and speedometer "needle drop" behavior when my ignition switch was failing.

There are other good suggestions above also.

Be sure to post an update when you figure out the problem.

 

Not ignition switch! Clean the battery terminals, see if it goes away. Or just get a new battery.

 

^^well, yeah - that's the first step because it doesn't cost anything!

 

what?!!! clean-inspect and test parts before randomly dropping $$$$
Well that takes all the fun out of it~

 

alright guys - here's a small update. checked the battery terminals, which were corroded pretty badly. cleaned the posts and sprayed some cleaner on it, which indicated there is acid leaking near the posts. haven't had the battery checked "officially" yet, but I'll be getting a new one this week due to its age and condition (i've had the car for 4 years now and this is the battery that came with it) plus i'll have the alternator tested to be sure.

all you guys NOT running optimas, what brand do you recommend? does interstate make one for us?