Alarm Fuse Dies Repeatedly. Then Battery Dies. Then Intake CAM Sensor dies. Huh?

[deesee]

Hey guys,

I've had a problem over the last few months where my keyless entry stopped working. I searched this wonderful forum and found that fuses burning out were common. So I replaced the 7.5 Amp fuse in the trunk fuse box. Worked for a while, then it would burn out. Replace. Burn. Replace.

One month ago, I replaced the fuse yet again, late at night. The next morning my car was dead. Dead as a door nail. I got a jump and was good to go. The next day, dead again. Don't know why, but I checked the alarm fuse.

It was NOT burned out! Hmm? So the fuse was ok, but now the battery was not. That's strange. Strange because the battery was only 2 years old. So, I took out the fuse vowing to never replace it again, jumped the battery and had been driving like that for months. Once again, I had no fuse in for the keyless entry; battery ok.

Then a month ago my battery was dead again. I finally decided to take it in to my regular mechanic who is great. I explain the above to him.

He calls me and tells me my battery is hopelessly dead and that I need a new one. Ok. Replaced battery. (Also changed my oil and brake pads just 'cause). BTW, he did not replace the fuse. So, still, no alarm fuse.

The next day I pick up the car and drive home. It's about a 5 mile drive. Later that day, I try to go the store, the car starts fine, I put the car in drive, press the gas....kaput...car stalls. Hmm? I start it again. Starts fine. Put it in drive. Press gas. Kaput. Car Stalls a 2nd time AND NOW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT comes on! Whoa, that's strange too.

Back to the shop.

Mechanic calls me later and says he getting an R&R Intake CAM Sensor fault code. I go, "uh, ok. Whatever that is, replace it."

Now I'm thinking, is this related to the battery / fuse or is it just a coincidence?

Anyway, he calls me when my car is ready for pickup. I ask him, "Oh yeah, can you replace the alarm fuse before I get there?" No problem, he says.

When I get there, he shows me that the car starts and we drive it around a bit. When we get back to the shop, I go, "Can you try the alarm please?"

Guess what happened? You ready? Alarm didn't work!? I said, "$20 bucks the fuse is blown." He said, "But it just worked! I just tried it before you get here." I said, "Pop the trunk kimosabi and let me show you."

Sure enough, the fuse was blown. And sure enough he said, "Let's disconnect the fuel door release and see what happens."

So, I just got my car back yesterday and just drove it home. Drove great by the way, seemed to have more "pickup." When I got home, the alarm key worked, but I had to be closer to the car than I used to be.

It's early morning now and I just got up so we'll see what I find in the garage today.

What are your thoughts on this saga?

Thanks,

Danny

P.S. Sorry about the post being a saga too!

[Doru]

There are quite a few things that could trigger electrical gremlins. Lately there were quite a few trunk lid harness wire chafing reports - so check that one out. Here is a linky with detailed info.
Another area to cover would be the ground wire - check here.

If you will start getting battery discharge problems combined with weird HVAC behaviour, it's your FSU.

If the radio starts powering on/off, strange electric behaviours (turn down sunshades and see if you have weirdness), then it might be your ignition switch.

Hope this helps

[JGs00528i]

Check your fuel door. My alarm fuse kept blowing recently, Jared at EAC mentioned checking the fuel door. Low and behold the locking mechanism was broke. The door locking plunger housing was totally cracked, so when it failed to lock the fuel door, the fuse blew. $3 part from stealership. Easy fix, no more blown fuses! (I was not experiencing the other issues you mentioned)

[deesee]

Well, I went down to my building garage and tried the keyless entry from far away (not up close like I had to do yesterday) and it worked!

Then I got in and started the car and it came on just fine. So far so good. Let's see what happens as the weekend progresses.

I haven't had and funny electrical behavior or HVAC issues, but I'll definitely check the ground wire.

[ Updaate ]

Ok, now my power seat buttons stopped working! What's up with that?

Oh yeah, ground wire is tight.