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I've had some intermittent, but regular, issues with the electronics in my car.

I just installed a new Alpine CD player and speakers, and some days, it just cuts out and shuts off, only to restart, and it does it every 15 seconds or so.

it usually happens when the car is stumbling/missing a bit at constant throttle...

could this just be the ignition switch? and is there a test procedure? (bently's at home right now)

I dont' think its a bad ground, and my splices on the power wires were all quite solid, and this is a LONG ways from my first stereo install....

thoughts?

check the fuses/contacts. IIRC, 5,6,12 are the fuses involved with the radio. eliminate the easy stuff before the more complicated stuff

I agree, also check and clean your pos contact on the battery. Corresion tends to build up around the bolt and block area on the side thus reducing contact with the stud.

checked that.... thanks though.

I'm about ready to call painless wiring and tear the car apart and install a small-block ford....

ok, I'm not too close...but its tempting....

[QUOTE="dworthy"]I agree, also check and clean your pos contact on the battery. Corresion tends to build up around the bolt and block area on the side thus reducing contact with the stud.[/QUOTE]

did that last year when I replaced the motor, and no visible deterioration in such.

good advice, either way though.

I just don't want to replace relays..... dear god I don't want to do that... is the ignition switch a possible culprit here?

yeah its possible, but its way down on the list of stuff I'd consider. I betcha at least 3/4 of my BMW electrical troubles have been fuse box related. whats the big deal about relays, they're mostly plug and play. Have you a volt / ohmmeter? ooh ooh, also check the ground strap between the back of the head and the fire wall. If thats loose, it will cause all sorts of weird symptoms.


[Edit by a on [TIME]1111004430[/TIME]]

you can't rebuild relays... you have to replace them... you can rebuild the ignition switch... I think.

I'm cheap... would rather spend the money going faster...

I don't have a multi-meter, but I can get my hands on one without anything but a call and walk down the street to Mr Project's house.... (I think BMA has our street built into their shipping program....)

Do a voltage drop test on the ignition switch. If you do a cont test it will pass all day long. Here are the allowable amounts:
.1 v for each connection
.2 v for relay
.3 v for switches
Make sure you add up all in between to ensure the correct numbers.

thanks man.... add that to the saturday AM list of fun.

double checked those fuses again... all is well.

will test ignition switch on saturday, after that, looks like at least a fuel relay...


[Edit by dasMafia on [TIME]1111031078[/TIME]]

Like Darin said, once you've checked the easy stuff, it's time to crawl down the circuit checking voltage drops accross connections and switches. Takes time, but less time and money than swapping components till the problem goes away.

now I remember why I love carburetors.....