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Jay Gadsby
05-19-2013, 01:19 PM
Hey guys,

I am having a hell of a time tracking down a weird gremlin in my 98 KA24DE (bone stock minus the exhaust and intake) 240SX. Ok, so basically, I went out into the garage the other morning and there was a weird solenoid sound coming from the car. Turns out to be the Evap Control Purge Solenoid was running. Killed the battery. Right now I have the battery/car hooked up to a charger to try and diagnose the issues. When I turn the key off, most of the time the dash lights stay on and the turn signals still work. The evap solenoid was running for a time, then a relay would click and it would all shut off. Now, I unplugged the evap solenoid and tried starting again. 4 out of 5 times, the ignition is off, the key is out and the lights and turn signals stay on. But not every time. I tried pulling the alternator plug, no change. I pulled the ignition harness out, no change. I pulled the top relay in the driver's kick panel and all shut off (ignition relay one). I tried replacing the relay with a good one, no change. There has been no electrical changes in the car, I have not unhooked anything, I have not changed anything. I rewired my headunit about a month ago, but have had no issues like that till yesterday. The only thing I did was hook up the lights (both front and rear lights were out while I was painting the car.) I also lowered the car on its coilovers, but the car has not rolled since doing so, so I doubt I rubbed a wire raw without movement. Anyone have any insight? I am not an electrical guru and this is pissing me off. Oh, and does anyone know if there are any detrimental effects to removing the purge solenoid as well as the carbon canister and such?

One more thing, I tried running codes, only to see that there is no LED in ECU, and there is no blinking of the Service Engine Soon light when the pot is cycles in the ECU. In my Z, there was an LED, is the S chassis the same way, or am I getting screwed. Thanks a lot guys. I know I am asking a lot, I just want to drive my car. :( Sad Panda...

OnTheChip
05-19-2013, 02:00 PM
Sounds like an ignition switch problem.

Jay Gadsby
05-19-2013, 02:22 PM
That is what it seems like, the only thing that makes me wonder is that the ignition was just replaced less than a year ago with a brand new unit, and the fact that with the ignition off, the evap control solenoid still runs when it is plugged in. Even if the lights in the dash are off.

Jay Gadsby
05-19-2013, 08:11 PM
Ok, symptom number 96 for my crappy ass day... Now the ECCS relay is going batty without the key being on. I know my battery is a POS, but I am not sure it will cause this sort of headache. Maybe the bad battery will explain the fact that the ECU will not enter the diagnostic mode. No flashes, no turn offs when the pot is turned, and no codes.... Thanks guys.

OnTheChip
05-20-2013, 07:23 AM
A light bulb with a bad internal connection (like at the filament) can cause erratic electrical issues. Happened on my motorcycle one time.

Jay Gadsby
05-20-2013, 09:17 AM
I am going to try replacing the battery, I know I have a couple bulbs out, I may try unplugging the lights and such. I will figure this out if it kills me.

mnight
05-20-2013, 09:48 AM
I'm no electrical guru either. Please keep us updated, I'm curious whats causing this.

Jay Gadsby
05-20-2013, 05:15 PM
Ok, well, I bought a new battery and started thinking. The only thing that I hooked up was the taillights after I dynomatted the trunk. Come to find out, I had the small black clip that goes to the latch crossed with its twin for the tail lights. Swapped em out and it seems the problem is gone. No dash lights, no clicking... Go Nissan!!

OnTheChip
05-20-2013, 05:20 PM
Glad you found it!