First, this is the 3

Tiny
JOSHUAPHELPS
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
  • 170,000 MILES
First, this is the 3.8 super charged ssei model. I just replaced the spark plugs, and messed up the firing order. When we started the car I saw the light brighten up and dim before I could kill the car. I fixed the mistake, and it started right up. We drove it 30-40 miles before we noticed the tail lights (daytime running lights) and front running lights were not turning off. We wrote it off to the timer, and let it go. It was night time so manually shut off the head lights just in case, and the next morning it started right up, but the running lights still wouldn't go out. This time when I shut off the car I did not manually shut off the head lamps, and the car went dead. I found the rear light fuse (10 and 13 in the box behind the seat) and pulled it, then tried to jump start the car. The lights were off. The dash wasn't turning on completely, and as my buddy let his car run; the lights started to work one at a time. Then he revved his engine a few times, and I tried to start it. No dash lights whatsoever, the fuel gage and engine temp gage didn't turn on, and no starter engaging. I am thinking I overloaded the electrical system, but I do not know the full extent of the damage to the electrical system. I am certain that I need a new battery now, but what else could have caused the initial drain, and what do you think I blew when I overloaded the electrical system.
Thursday, December 27th, 2012 AT 4:39 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If your lights stayed on that would explain the battery being drained. Let's start by having the battery charged and tested. Also make sure the battery cables are clean and tight. Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?Have you checked all the fuses for being blown?
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Thursday, December 27th, 2012 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
JOSHUAPHELPS
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I think I might have wasted a bit of your time. After I bought the new plugs and wires, I used a diagnostic to shut of the SES light; and this morning it was on. I will take the battery to get charged and tested, and just use the auto parts stores diagnostic to see what the computer has to tell me about the problem. Its probably related to this SES light, but just in case. I have people telling me to check to make sure I didn't damage wires under the hood during the replacement. I only had time to change the 1, 3, and 5 plugs, so can you think of anything in the front of the engine compartment that I could have possible damaged during this process? The only real direction I have been given is to check the belts and the alternator, and I have no idea on how people could think this could cause the running lights to stay on.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2012 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
JOSHUAPHELPS
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Also, visual check of the fuses turned up nothing, but I don't know which fuses specifically I should check. Anything related to the lamps and so on are good.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2012 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Lets get the battery tested out of the way the cables clean and tight etc. Plus the exact code numbers you have not code descriptions. It may come down to having to have it scanned with a advanced scan tool for the lights staying on. Keep me posted on what you find.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2012 AT 10:05 PM

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