Wierd Electrical problems linked to cold weather?...

[Mark B]

Hey guys,
All last week the battery on my daily driver sounded weak when I started the car. Then friday, the car didnt start at all. So I replaced the orginal battery with a new one. Yesterday, I started getting alot of weird electrical problems. Heres a list of problems...

-Parking lights wont turn off, never.
-Radio always has power, even with key out of ignition & door open.
-The horn doesnt chirp when I lock the doors with the remote anymore
-Power drivers seat only works when it wants to


The car is a 03 Buick Regal GS w/ 37k miles. I bought it used about 5 months ago. I live in the Northeast where it have been VERY cold for the past few weeks & right now the car has a 1/2" sheet of ice covering 50% of it. I was going to pull the car into a garage & let the ice melt hoping that would solve the problem, but I would like to know what is causing the problems to begin with.

Any thoughts?

[Mark B]

Now that I read my own post, a bad ignition switch could cause problem 1 & 2. But I dont think it could cause 3 & 4. Since all of these problems started at the same time, I am thinking the source lies somewhere else?

[Mark B]

I just realized that the headlights are stuck on too. I better pull the fuse or I will need another battery.

I also forgot to mention, the car has auto-on headlights. But the system is only susposed to be on when the car is running. (Thats why im thinking ignition switch)

[Mark B]

WOW who would have tought.

The past few days the problem has been intermittent at best. I took the car to the dealer and, of course, the problem wasnt there. So tonight I decided to brave the cold & find the problem myself. I would have been the last place I would look if I hadnt heard some clicking from under the seat. The clicking ended up being a bundle of bare wires sparking with eachother!! Im not sure how, but I am almost sure this is the root of my problems.

So who would have looked under the seat to find out why the radio & headlights were acting up? haha

I love my car.
I love my car.
I love my car.
Repeat 100x

[FroSSty]

WOW!! the last one I remember having isuues like that burned to the ground! Nice find. I am wondering how the wires did that. Maybe they just got hot and melted the plastic off.

['STANGETR]

Very odd that they were all located under the seat?? I guess car manufacturer people do whatever they gotta do

[Mark B]

My guess is that one of the wires got pinched in the seat track. Then took out the rest of wires. I was wondering myself why my car isnt a pile of ashes. The harness in question definitly caught fire.


I would love to know how that harness effects the other systems though.

[LS1 TA]

My guess is that one of the wires got pinched in the seat track. Then took out the rest of wires. I was wondering myself why my car isnt a pile of ashes. The harness in question definitly caught fire.


I would love to know how that harness effects the other systems though.

Car manufactures link wierd things together. On my 89 trans am my oil pressure sending unit was linked to the fuel pump.