PSA: Check your n*ts (on the high power protection module)
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Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,953
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From: Phoenix, AZ USA
PSA: Check your n*ts (on the high power protection module)
Got in car the other morning, turned the key and click, nothin.
Everything powered up like normal and a loud click from under the bonnet but didn't crank, didn't even try to. Odd, I think, drove it the day before and nothing strange happened.
Battery is a bit low (11.8V) and 4 years old, so I take it to round the corner to the autoparts store to have them test it. Bad they say, so I get a new one. Not too surprising, 4 years is a good run in the Phoenix heat, even if it is in the boot.
Put it in, hook up the cables and vent, then try the key again. Click, still nothin. Hum.
Check the fuse. Good.
Check the relay. Good.
Check the high power fuse in the boot... yikes, I can move the cable with my fingers. And double yikes, the plastic is melted a bit where it had been arcing.
Turns out 3 of the 4 nuts were loose, to the point I could tighten them probably a quarter turn.
Clean everything up tighten the bolts and she fires right up. Problem solved.
This isn't a neglected or abused car. 88k miles, lived it's life in garages and mostly dry weather. They are jam nuts but not knurled and no lock washer and I guess they can loosen over time even in the best of circumstances.
This is not something I ever expected would need maintenance, but it's going on my "every now and then" inspection list. Takes 5 minutes, a 13mm wrench and could very easily leave you stranded somewhere.
Everything powered up like normal and a loud click from under the bonnet but didn't crank, didn't even try to. Odd, I think, drove it the day before and nothing strange happened.
Battery is a bit low (11.8V) and 4 years old, so I take it to round the corner to the autoparts store to have them test it. Bad they say, so I get a new one. Not too surprising, 4 years is a good run in the Phoenix heat, even if it is in the boot.
Put it in, hook up the cables and vent, then try the key again. Click, still nothin. Hum.
Check the fuse. Good.
Check the relay. Good.
Check the high power fuse in the boot... yikes, I can move the cable with my fingers. And double yikes, the plastic is melted a bit where it had been arcing.
Turns out 3 of the 4 nuts were loose, to the point I could tighten them probably a quarter turn.
Clean everything up tighten the bolts and she fires right up. Problem solved.
This isn't a neglected or abused car. 88k miles, lived it's life in garages and mostly dry weather. They are jam nuts but not knurled and no lock washer and I guess they can loosen over time even in the best of circumstances.
This is not something I ever expected would need maintenance, but it's going on my "every now and then" inspection list. Takes 5 minutes, a 13mm wrench and could very easily leave you stranded somewhere.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 179
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From: Norcross GA (northeast Atlanta)
'Check the high power fuse in the boot... yikes, I can move the cable with my fingers. And double yikes, '
Could you point out the location so myself and others might check this out. Thanks for the heads-up!
Could you point out the location so myself and others might check this out. Thanks for the heads-up!
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Spain