I am in deep, deep trouble. I was rewiring some wires for the ICE setup today and everything was working fine. I then wanted to test whether the DVd would run when I switched the engine on and so I proceded as I always do.. check that gearlevel is in P, turn ignition to position two and then press the remote (this disarms the immobiliser) and then turn key to position three. Until this point, everything is as expected. The second I put the key in position three, the _whole_ electrical system dies.

I was very careful to undo the negative terminal on the battery and to check that each function that I connected was working fine. I started with the power converter and connected that to the cigar lighter (I did not simply plug it in but cut of the little cigar thing and then connected the two wires to the power supply for the lighter) and I then tested the converter by starting the engine, then switching on the converter and finally plugging in and switching on a light. Worked no problem. I tested the battery current across the terminals with engine running but converter off, that was 13.4 and then with converter and light on, that was also 13.4. Reving the engine made no difference. So far, no problems. I then routed the RCA cables for the two screens and connected that to the DVD-player and rewired the power supply for the screens. Here also, I used the power line that is supposed to plug into the lighter but I simply cut and connected the wires. So, I then test this by reconnecting the battery, run the screens which work fine, then start playing a DVD which also worked fine and I then checked the battery across the terminals with film running, 12.4. So, I get into the car, the power converter is switched off, the screens are on and the film running. Turn key to position two, disarm the immobiliser and then to position three. Literally the whole car dies. Nothing works, no power anywhere, not even the alarm LED is on. Ok, I check the battery, still 12.4. I then notice a crackling sound from around the negative terminal and start looking for a burning wire. Nothing, no smell, no smoke, nothing. Ok now I am confused, angry and tired. Then, bang, the indicators flash and the alarm LED lights up as do the door jam lights. I check the battery, still 12.4.

Ok, try starting the engine. Now everything works perfectly until I come to position three. Same thing. So, this time I disconnect all the ICE stuff and the converter. I also pull the fuses supplying the ICE and the converter. Wait for the power to come back and when it does, I try starting. Bang, the whole dies once again.

I just tried it again, I first checked the battery, it now had 12.7, so I proceed, first carefully checking that all the stuff I have fitted today and yesterday have no power. But same thing and that crackling which goes away the second the car comes back again. This time, I can smell something and it smells just like when running my toy electric train when I was a kid. I have also localised the smell and sound to a piece with four "probes" in it that are contained in a metal casing which is screwed to the inside of the wing. From these probes run four wires, one for each probe. I assume this is some sort of main fuse that can resume function. But surely this has nothing to do with the ICE stuff and the converter. I could run the laptop from the converter and the DVD-player and two screens and the radio, have all lights on and play with the air co and power windows, seats, sunroof and mirrors with the key in position two if I wanted to. Of course, the battery would soon die but does that not show that there is nothing wrong in those wires.

I suspect the starter but perhaps this is too much of a coindicence and I have indeed done something. Please, please help me. We are supposed to leave for Sweden on Saturday morning and many, many people will be dissappointed if we cannot.
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George Holmer, Belgium, Europe, 1995 940 Turbo; 1987 745 GLE Turbo Diesel; 1979 262C Intercoolerhttp://www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm