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Automotive/2005 Chevy Impala w/ Onstar Stereo change

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Expert: - 4/30/2007


Question
I went to change my factory stereo to a CD player last night. When I removed the radio and installed the other I lost ALL power to my car. The steering wont lock, the brakes are locked down and I can't even turn the key. What the heck happened???

Answer
If the problem was a matter of electrical power loss ONLY, I would suggest that, while in the process of changing out the equipment, you managed to generate an electrical fault that - somehow - took out a fusible link in a main bus.

I say "somehow" only because main link trips are rare in a system that otherwise is properly protected and coordinated.  In general, a supply line to your factory audio unit would be fused as a branch circuit, and also fed by a relatively small sized supply wire; if this was the case, then the likelihood of a ground fault on this line pulling enough current (through the small wire) for enough time (before the branch fuse opens) to open a main bus link is very small.

Of course, I am assuming that the above describes your system.  If power for the installation was, for some reason, UNfused and then was taken from a main bus feeder such as that supplying the main terminal on your ignition switch, then anything can happen, and one should be happy that fusible links are part of most automotive systems!

You note mechanical problems with the switch as well, and also that the "brakes are locked down".  I cannot answer to those specifics, but I could suggest two possibilities with the ignition switch itself: (i) the switch simply failed mechanically, and now cannot make the connections to power any of the circuits on its load-side terminals, and (ii - less likely but included for completeness) the switch failed due to internal damage due to the aforementioned fault current, and its contacts may have welded before either it or a fusible link opened.

Electrical problems are such fun ... EGK

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Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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