90 325i Everything dies, a second later comes back

[txtorquemade]

Ok... I was starting to install a new auto antenna. Took out the trunk liner, looked around awhile, ran out of time and just closed the deck lid. Drove to work the next day, fine. On the way home the car -everything- shuts off. Lights, engine, stereo, etc. then it all comes back on in a second. Did this three times, but the final time it didnt come back on. I had to shift to neutral and restart the car with the key. Which it did.

This happened while driving around 40mph or so each time.

Whats wrong. I know it is electrical But...what could I have done that would make it do that? There to two batches of wires I found, unconnected to anything, that were back behind the trunk wall liner. All different colors and combos of colors as though they were to wire up a NASA outpost or something. I am NOT experienced in electrical troubleshooting, but I am fairly mechanical.

Help a bro out here??? I dont have a cam or I would post pics.

Thanks

[payney8]

Make sure you havent pinched any wires would be a start. Could be causing it to short.

[txtorquemade]

Well.. I havent really done much to pinch any wires. I think Im going to install the antenna, then see what Ive got, but any more ideas are welcome.

[txtorquemade]

Installed the antenna and it doesnt raise. No power to the red wire or white it seems when I tested them.

[txtorquemade]

bump for some ideas here

[StereoInstaller1]

First, check your battery connections.

Second, keep in mind that electrical issues are sneaky, it may have manifested itself when you worked on the antenna, but it may not be something you messed with.

Third, download your electrical manual at www.wedophones.com

Save a copy just in case!

Fourth, what you are describing sounds like the main relay to me.

Good luck!
Luke

[mattdk318i]

i was going to say battery terminals as well

[txtorquemade]

Thanks guys. Is that main relay in the main fuse station under the hood? I checked the battery terminals, and FWIW I have an almost new battery.

Putting inthe antenna I didn't ground it properly so it didnt work. I took it to CarToys in Plano and they screwed it into a bare metal ground and it worked fine. Drove home an no further incident with the stalling out.

I took the car back to Cartoys ...who diagnosed and fixed the ground fault (my fault I should say) for zero dollars. Im letting them install my new clear turn signals, because I have one that dosent work correctly, and I'm thinking it is related to the stalling out perhaps. The stalling just started, the turn signal has worked intermittently since Ive had the car about 4 months.

[txtorquemade]

bump for more info...

Im having clear front signals installed today so Ill see what the tech has to say and if the install goes alright, ie, both signals working upon completion.

But this bring me to another question for you guys. Are the relays in the main fuse box under the hood, drivers side by the firewall, or are they dispersed through the car, or some place else?

Also, my AC is not blowing cold. Any idea what it costs to recharge R12 systems these days?


Thanks

[Atreus]

there is a little box by your strut tower drivers side that has a cover on it that houses three relays, what you're looking for is in there. i think its the white one? you really should double check to be sure.

main
fuel pump
XXX???i forget

[txtorquemade]

Is that the little black plastic cover? Could I have crimped some wires in the trunk when I was removing the sidewall trunk liner?

Any ideas are useful...thanks.

[StereoInstaller1]

Do you have the electrical manual downloaded?

Main relay is the one furthest forward under that black cover.

[txtorquemade]

It was the negative battery terminal (ground) wife was loose from the connector. Problem solved.

Now I have a autotragic problem going on. LOL..always something.