Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

[Silverstoned]

I'm quickly losing patience trying to track down an electrical short in my Golf. I've already had someone look at it and they weren't able to track it down. Any suggestions on where I can take it?

[CGDoig]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

There's a place in the north east near the deerfoot mall that a friend has used before with great success and cost. I'll see if I can find it before others chime in. I think near 11th St NE and 55th ave NE...

[canuck699]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

Do you mean Quinn Security Services, its over by deerfoot mall. They charge a lot just so you know up front. Had a friend take his truck in for a short someplace, 700 dollars later, they put in a battery isolator (50 dollar part) and said would be another 700 to find the short since its not something simple (wasn't a bad starter, battery, or alternator type simple).

[Geobmx4life]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

Is Autotemp the place you're thinking about Cam?

[CGDoig]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

Nah its quinn. I dunno what to suggest then. If anyone else can give any more input. I've never taken anything there so I couldn't tell you from personal experience.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

I think almost any autobody shop would take a look, for a price. But see if you cant find something recommended, that isnt $700.....

[Satnam]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

electrical short - as in a fuse blows, or short that drain the battery?
if it's second option, put an ammeter on the battery and start pulling fuses, this may take a while since some of the electronics stay awake for a bit after the car shuts down these days. This way at least it's traceable to a circuit.

[stefan]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

electrical short - as in a fuse blows, or short that drain the battery?
if it's second option, put an ammeter on the battery and start pulling fuses, this may take a while since some of the electronics stay awake for a bit after the car shuts down these days. This way at least it's traceable to a circuit.

This works well. Just pull fuses until the draw goes away. Your door will probably be open when you do it, so make sure you shut off your interior lights (maybe obvious, but easy to forget). The draw won't completely go away as there is always something running (clock, probably immobilizer). But it should drop significantly when you find the circuit causing the problem.

[Silverstoned]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

electrical short - as in a fuse blows, or short that drain the battery?
if it's second option, put an ammeter on the battery and start pulling fuses, this may take a while since some of the electronics stay awake for a bit after the car shuts down these days. This way at least it's traceable to a circuit.

It's actually both. If it stays warm this week I might give this a try and at least eliminate one of the two issues.

[cam_wmh]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

sigh. I feel your pain.

[Stonewall]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

Having taken a look at your car Jeff when it was in the shop I have no idea where your short is. The best bet in my opinion is to look up where all the wires on that rear wiper run to and start gutting the interior and tracing out the wires. The short is bad enough that you should see some marks where it is hitting the frame.

[Silverstoned]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

Having taken a look at your car Jeff when it was in the shop I have no idea where your short is. The best bet in my opinion is to look up where all the wires on that rear wiper run to and start gutting the interior and tracing out the wires. The short is bad enough that you should see some marks where it is hitting the frame.

I'm pretty sure Paul already did that. He had the whole car apart and back together. He did leave me a printout of the wiring diagram so I guess I could have a crack at it. I wish I had the time this fall to heat the garage at my new place. That's probably why I haven't attempted to fix it myself yet (not that I really know what I'm doing).

[Stonewall]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

I hear you, I still need to heat and insulate my garage (and clean it so that is a whole other matter.

[turbomeyers]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

so its not poping fuses ?

[R_Ethug]

Re: Electrical gremlin... where to get it fixed

sounds like my lebaron.. something is screwy with a short causing the tranny to stick in 2nd gear, tach not work and then signals to work one day and flash fast the next..

oh wait its made by americans i forgot