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tl;dr - car wouldn't start, power window switch brought it back to life

Had the weirdest thing happen (maybe not that weird to some)

Was driving the car to the city. Parked and got out. Realised I needed to move the car so got back in and everything was dead. Turned the key all the way and no signs of life at all.

It was hot so I automatically went to lower the power Window. Soon as I pressed the switch everything came back on. Radio, dash, heard the various noises from the engine bay. Car started fine.

Sounds like an electrical fault somewhere along the lines. Only things very touched electrical wise are new head unit, changed cluster gauge faces, cleaned power Window switch, installed stubby antenna.

Has this happened to anyone else? Not a huge deal as I plan to take it to an auto electrician eventually..

I'm going to suggest a bad earth. There is a plug under the windscreen washer bottle where a number of earth wires come together. Clean where the bolt holding the plug in place screws into the body work. Also check how the new head unit has been wired in, if not already done I would suggest wiring its earth lead directly to the body. Finally check the + & - leads on the battery are nice and tight.....

Let us know how you go.

J.

There's a few collected ground points. About 5. One is up under the dash near the gauge cluster. Check that too.

I'm assuming this is what you mean juffa? I couldn't see a collection of wires under the washer bottle.

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Those are relays, and a bracket to hold them.

An earth will simply be a length of wire that attaches directly to the body of the car.

Ah. Noted.

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I have a similar intermittent problem. Every now & then after I start the car, none of the electrics work i.e. windows, fan, radio, wipers, but if turn the car off then start it again it's all fine. As far as I can tell all my earths are tight & clean.

yes something similar, checked earths, fuses, relays...changed it all nothing. Then read that the ignition barrel can cause all sorts of stuff. Proven correct with mine. Started the car it ran but no windows...radio...lights..backed off the key a few mm in the barrel everything fine. Changed the barrel over, never had a gremlin since.

mazdaz wrote:yes something similar, checked earths, fuses, relays...changed it all nothing. Then read that the ignition barrel can cause all sorts of stuff. Proven correct with mine. Started the car it ran but no windows...radio...lights..backed off the key a few mm in the barrel everything fine. Changed the barrel over, never had a gremlin since.

Similar to Kev's experience here http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=54225&p=714229 (scroll 3/4 down the page)

It's worth checking out...