What did I short?

[Ratman720]

SO short story the torx nuts on the shifter, Her attitude is always to jam things as hard as possible and she broke the shifting rod housing. I replaced it but the cable for the dashboard gear slipped off the bracket without me knowing. I didn't have time to play with it before work so I left it. I had her assist me today dropping the steering column because I had no idea where the cable was located it. She unfortunately dropped said column to some sparking and the faint smell of burnt plastic. Now the car wont turn on the key alarm still sounds but anything in any of the key positions does not work. I'm hoping that its just a fuse but I'm curious as to what some ideas might be.

And yes I should have disconnected the battery first, I cut corners due to time constraints now the real fun begins....

 

[deweyville65]

I guess check the ignition switch. It is on top of the steering column down near the firewall. There is a metal rod from the key to the actual switch.

 

[DjDom]

Yup, you definitely ripped the ignition harness off.
There are thick wires under the steering column that deal with power to starter/ignition and such.
You probably ripped them off with the drop.

 

[Ratman720]

I would tend to agree with you there. I have found a harness but I havent the damnest idea what it connects to.

So far I have followed the wiring from the ignition switch harness down the steering column with a shroud and some other harness. The free harness seems to be tied into the stuff directly on the column. Relatively large wires so Im guessing an immense power draw. Its only defining characteristics is 2 30A fuses attached to it directly.

 

[Ratman720]

Some more info.

After some research it looks like whoever owned the car before us attempted a partial install of a remote starter. The wiring harness floating around has two reds a purple a yellow and an orange wire with a white plastic unlike anything else I can find.

Because of the shoddiness of the job some of the wires joined to the main ignition (looks like a box bolted to the collumn) harness had copper and what looks like steel sticking out. This is likely what caused the short when it touched the metal frame on the bottom of the steering collumn.

So I havent found any fuses that look damaged and here is the electrical stuff that works.

The key alarm
Emergency lights
blinkers
interior lights
clock on in dash unit
in dash unit lights
headlights

So here is my possible thought. Because the bracket was loose for so long, and due to her prediliction for forcing things. It may be the bracket or transmission cable may be warped or loose respectively. But usually when it is misaligned you hear clicks and false staring attempts but I hear nothing indicating juice is flowing to the starter. I may releas the bracket and see if I can get it started tomorrow, if so problem solved but if not do you guys have any other ideas.

 

[Ratman720]

I was correct it was the ignition fuse, She told me she checked them I will just double check next time thanks everyone.

 

[Bobmbx]

I was correct it was the ignition fuse, She told me she checked them I will just double check next time thanks everyone.

Just wondering....does She know its all her fault?