airbag light code 12 and electronics off after dead battery/swap

[defectivecyborg]

So, I left my lights on by accident for a few hours and drained the battery. After this I jumped it and it started. Once I got it started I realized that the radio, interior lights, instrument panel, and clock are now not working and the airbag light is throwing code 12 for low battery voltage. Thoughts?

edit: forgot to mention i also put in a new battery

 

[SHOrod]

Did you jump start it using another car or a jump start pack? Spikes and noise are more common when using another car, so if that was the scenario it would be worth checking fuses and relays to see if there's one that's common to all those items that are not working and then confirm whether or not they are getting power.

-Rod

 

[defectivecyborg]

I used a jump pack, couldn't find any blown fuses weirdly but haven't checked any relays.

Did you jump start it using another car or a jump start pack? Spikes and noise are more common when using another car, so if that was the scenario it would be worth checking fuses and relays to see if there's one that's common to all those items that are not working and then confirm whether or not they are getting power.

-Rod

 

[ScotSHO]

You mentioned a new battery - what is the voltage of the battery with the car running and with just accessories on? It sounds like the new battery voltage might be low, or potentially the alternator is dying?

 

[defectivecyborg]

You mentioned a new battery - what is the voltage of the battery with the car running and with just accessories on? It sounds like the new battery voltage might be low, or potentially the alternator is dying?

battery with car running runs at 14.3, battery with ignition off is testing at 12, im pretty sure its not actually a battery voltage issue but rather something has gone bad in the wiring somewhere, like a relay or somethin

 

[ScotSHO]

This is a tough one - many a bad shared ground?

 

[SHOrod]

battery with car running runs at 14.3, battery with ignition off is testing at 12, im pretty sure its not actually a battery voltage issue but rather something has gone bad in the wiring somewhere, like a relay or somethin

What year is your SHO? And depending on the year, MTX or ATX?

-Rod

 

[SHOrod]

Once I got it started I realized that the radio, interior lights, instrument panel, and clock are now not working

I went out on a limb and assumed a 1990 model year. If it's around that vintage, Fuse 8 (15A) in the Fuse Panel is common to all of those items (radio, interior lights, instrument panel, and the clock) so I'd start there. If it's a different model year, let me know and I'll see if there's similarly a fuse common to all of these circuits.

-Rod

 

[defectivecyborg]

I went out on a limb and assumed a 1990 model year. If it's around that vintage, Fuse 8 (15A) in the Fuse Panel is common to all of those items (radio, interior lights, instrument panel, and the clock) so I'd start there. If it's a different model year, let me know and I'll see if there's similarly a fuse common to all of these circuits.

-Rod

My bad, I totally forgot to add that to the original post lol It's a '95 ATX

 

[SHOrod]

Well, it turns out for the 1995 ATX it's still Fuse 8 (15A) that's common to the radio, clock, and interior lights. I don't see an association to the Instrument Cluster for Fuse 8, but what specifically is it about the instrument cluster the is not working? There are multiple circuits that tie to the instrument cluster (gauge power, illumination, idiot lights, etc.).

-Rod

 

[defectivecyborg]

Well, it turns out for the 1995 ATX it's still Fuse 8 (15A) that's common to the radio, clock, and interior lights. I don't see an association to the Instrument Cluster for Fuse 8, but what specifically is it about the instrument cluster the is not working? There are multiple circuits that tie to the instrument cluster (gauge power, illumination, idiot lights, etc.).

-Rod

its just the gauge illumination, the gauges themselves and the idiot lights still work just fine. whoever had this car before me also installed digital trans temp and fuel/air ratio gauges above the ashtray and only the fuel/air one is working.

 

[SHOrod]

Hmm, okay. The instrument illumination would be via fuse 13 (5A) in the instrument panel fuse panel. I'd still suggest you also check fuse 8 as mentioned above though since the other issues have that fuse in common.

Are you certain that these items worked before you jump started the car, or is this car new to you and once you got it started you made these observations of items that don't work? With extra gauges that a previous owner installed, it's hard to tell what wiring they might have mucked with.

-Rod

 

[defectivecyborg]

Hmm, okay. The instrument illumination would be via fuse 13 (5A) in the instrument panel fuse panel. I'd still suggest you also check fuse 8 as mentioned above though since the other issues have that fuse in common.

Are you certain that these items worked before you jump started the car, or is this car new to you and once you got it started you made these observations of items that don't work? With extra gauges that a previous owner installed, it's hard to tell what wiring they might have mucked with.

-Rod

I actually checked all the fuses as part of my initial attempt to figure out this issue, none of them are blown. As for being sure everything was working yes, ive had it since late june and these issues only started a few weeks ago after I accidentally left the DRLs on for a few hours and drained the battery.