Strange car symptoms

[Juddog]

Wife was driving the car, noticed that the wipers weren't working. Then she noticed the radio wouldn't turn on. Turned car off, turned back on again, and now everything seems to be normal.

What kind of issue would generate symptoms like this?

 

[Vette73]

Hard to say unless it does it alot or stays bad. Bad ground or connection jump to mind first.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Sorry your car is haunted. I would call a priest.

 

[Juddog]

Hard to say unless it does it alot or stays bad. Bad ground or connection jump to mind first.

Hmm if it's a bad ground that would suck; I just replaced the battery 3 weeks ago and the starter 2 weeks ago.

 

[Vette73]

Hmm if it's a bad ground that would suck; I just replaced the battery 3 weeks ago and the starter 2 weeks ago.

There are more than 1 ground. The dash wiring harness soemtimes has its own ground, let alone if a connector in the dash is loose somewhere.

If it does not happen again then don;t worry. If it does see what harness and ground both the radio and wiper controls go through.

 

[Juddog]

There are more than 1 ground. The dash wiring harness soemtimes has its own ground, let alone if a connector in the dash is loose somewhere.

If it does not happen again then don;t worry. If it does see what harness and ground both the radio and wiper controls go through.

Dumb question: If the two go through the same ground, how would I find that ground and re-ground it?

 

[Vette73]

Dumb question: If the two go through the same ground, how would I find that ground and re-ground it?

Most of the time when a ground is bad either the bolt holding it has come loose or there is rust/corrosion on the connection. So remove, clean, and reinstall.

But again it could be other things. If it happens again turn the headlights on and see if the ac fan works. Seems weird, not knowing the wiring of that car off the top of my head, that it would be just those 2 things.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

What kind of car is this?

 

[Bartman39]

What kind of car is this?

My question as well...?

Would also consider possibly a power relay as many cars and trucks have power relays for different circuts which might be common to the wipers & radio in your wife`s car...?

 

[Juddog]

What kind of car is this?

Mazda 626, 1996.

 

[5150MyU]

Hmm if it's a bad ground that would suck; I just replaced the battery 3 weeks ago and the starter 2 weeks ago.

That is where you need to begin.Did you loosen a ground around the battery when you replaced it?etc.

 

[5150MyU]

By loosened I mean tugging on the cables not wrenching it.