Electrical Problem
 

Anybody have any idea what would knock out ignition and headlights/ driving lights on a 2000 SSEi? That's where I am now. I've checked all fuses, and they are all OK. Battery is OK. Radio and all power stuff works fine. Ignition system and headlights are just dead.

Help!

UPDATE: The problem seems to be with the front fuse panel. i have power coming in...but nothing going out. Is this panel tied into the ignition switch? The Auto Zone guy suggested that the ignition switch may have gone bad.

That's a new one to me. Did you find ALL the fuses? I don't know why they don't out them all in the same place. Were you working on something and unknowingly cut some wiring, etc? Could it be a security thing? Just guessing.

I think I found all of the fuses...under the hood and under the seat. Are there any more that are in secret places?

I plugged a small DC TV into the rear power outlet and popped what I thought was a fuse.The car has been dead ever since.

The power outlets, horn, front lights, and ignition are all out. Everything else seems to work.

Do you have power ( batt +12vdc) at the underhood fuse block? There is a #6 AWG black lead that brings power from the battery up to the underhood fuse block. Check with a voltmeter at the jump start terminal (under square red cap) for power. If you have power at the jump start terminal, remove the horn fuse and check for power on the supply side of the fuse socket. Establish that you have power available up there underhood. There are many variables & possibilities, trying to start with some basics. From what location did you hear the pop when plugging tv into rear outlet? With the info you posted it appears that there is no power at the front end. Try to post a few more details if you can.

I thought the pop came from the rear fuse panel, but its hard to say.

Thanks for the suggestion to check power to the front panel. I have power coming in to the front, but nothing going out.

This is a tough one,
after reading several schematics I would be suspicious of the dash integration module.
This controls many things including the retained accessory power and would seem like you have damged the class 2 communication data link?
You really need a scanner to check for DTC's, can you get a scanner?
It could be something simple like an open ground but will be tough to isolate without codes.

The car's in the shop now. They believe the problem lies in the theft deterrent module.

Keep us posted.
The dash integration module is tied with many modules depending on trim and options, the fact the headlights dont work leads me into there coupled with the ignition?

Maybe my guess was correct.

I had started to think it might be a security issue too b4 I gave up and towed the car. I was hoping for a "secret" way for the dealer to quickly (and cheaply) reset the theft deterrent system, but I guess that isn't going to happen. They still haven't quite figured it out yet, but they tell me that something is killing the power to half of the front fuse panel. I'm pretty sure this is going to hurt! ...stay tuned.