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Old 03-08-2009, 04:42 PM   #1
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Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

Hi everyone,
My dear husband is driving back from the Eastern Sierras...and called to update me that the electrical system is entirely gone! Should I tell him to pull over or should he keep driving the 200+ more miles he needs to go to make it home?
Thanks in advance!

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Old 03-08-2009, 05:00 PM   #2
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

I would say if the turn and brake lights are working and it still runs that he can keep driving.
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Old 03-08-2009, 05:05 PM   #3
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

I would have to think it's just the dashboard display. I don't think any of these vans would be able to run without electronics.

I would agree with Jage's assessment.


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Old 03-08-2009, 05:07 PM   #4
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

Good point...I'll have him pull over and take a look. I think he'll want to keep driving and just stick his arm out the window and do hand signals. Not sure if the highway patrol on 395 will like that or if all the drivers will quite catch what's going on...

Is there any other "life threatening" or "vehicle threatening" thing that could be going on?

Thanks!

P.S. Update on what's not functioning..."everything electrical" he says includes the entire dash, A/C, power windows are barely working, no radio (even if he switches between house and car battery). The voltmeter reads 9v. He's still driving, windows down and doing hand signals when he needs to...gotta love adventure!

P.P.S. Wouldn't feel too sorry for the guy...he got three glorious days of skiing in--without me and the kids to bog him down . He skiied windbuff Mammoth stuff and did the Third Finger of the Sherwins in awesome conditions.
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Old 03-08-2009, 05:11 PM   #5
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

I can't help you on the electronics part of things, however, if he is mimicking any kind of turn signal he should be praised in CA. It seems like most drivers in CA think of the turn signal as a sign of weakness and would never be caught using one. I wish him luck...
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Old 03-08-2009, 05:23 PM   #6
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

If electrical stuff is not working, or is just working a little, and the voltmeter reads 9 volts, I'm guessing maybe the alternator has failed and he's running on the battery alone, which is slowly losing its charge. Don't know if it's possible for the alternator to only partly fail and just be putting out, say, 9 volts, and keeping the battery slightly charged. Has the alternator idiot light lit up, or does the ammeter (charge meter) indicate the battery is discharging even with the motor running? If so, it's possible he won't have enough juice to keep running the engine until he gets home. On the other hand, if he's already driven quite a distance and the 9 volt reading hasn't gotten any less, he may make it. Best of luck!
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Old 03-08-2009, 05:43 PM   #7
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

Dont shut it down (turn the key off) unless he has a jump close by. sounds like alternator/battery.
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Old 03-08-2009, 05:45 PM   #8
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

primo skiing without you!!!!

Heh! let him turn it off, what was my hubby thinking?

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Old 03-08-2009, 05:46 PM   #9
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

He's still moving...but the volt meter now reads 7.8 volts, so as you suggest, he may be on his way to discharging...will keep you posted.

He did stop to get gas and as CJ suggested, kept the engine running...he's going to see how close he gets to home. If he gets within 100 miles, we've got AAA towing coverage!
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Old 03-08-2009, 05:49 PM   #10
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Re: Urgent: Husband just called, he's driving w/o electronics!

I love this forum--somehow someone always finds a way to make me smile--love the primo skiing without me comment!

Last time we got towed it was on our way TO Mammoth with our twin toddlers and the dog...he'll be soooooo lonely without us for this tow trip if it comes to that!
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