I crashed the rear end of my 8 a long while back and filed a claim with my insurance to fix it. The car drove fine before they received it, like it wasn't even banged up. They agreed to repair the damage and gave me a loaner. Upon further inspection they totaled it out and gave the option of money or the car and half of the money. I took the car thinking it was the same as I left it. It wasn't!! It was towed back to me. The engine won't turn. The dome light, power seats, parking lights, mirrors, windows, radio, and air don't work at all! Before handing it over they did. The horn works, the IP lights up, and the door chimes, that it! Any suggestions on what is causing this?

 

Moving this to troubleshooting and re-titling.


Sounds like something electrical is disconnected, which isn't much of a surprise at all. Check the battery, the battery terminals, the fuses, etc...

 

Sounds like you need a new battery


Often the insides get broken in a collision...and they quit working when they sit around. You might get away with a charge...but if the battery is older, and sat dead for too long it likely won't go back to functioning

 

After the collision the car drove great. I used it for months before deciding that since I was still paying full coverage that the rear end should be fixed. Someone suggested it could be a safety switch for the fuel tank. Does anyone know where that is located?

 

Pictures, or it didn't happen !

seriously tho, a picture is worth a thousand words ...

and if it's really bad, you should totaled it. too late now doesn't it ?

 

There isn't one....just a rollover valve

Did you check the battery? Every time I ever take a vehicle to the body shop they kill the battery. They leave the doors and trunk lids open and usually forget to disconnect it. With the RX-8 they usually flood it too

 

I tried to upload a photo but the file is too large

 

The battery is fine and the engine flooding thing I dealt with in 2003.

 

This isn't going to be something a picture is going to help with. You will need to trouble shoot the electrical system. Start with Bat voltage..then start by checking the fuses and relays...if you have certain circuits out..start there. If you need a wiring diagram there is one online someplace. If needed..I think I have it on my home computer I can email you

Hopefully it is something they forgot to hook up....there isn't much in the rear of the car that will not allow the car to run..the fuel pump is about as far back as anything critical goes

Good hunting

 

This may sound real dumb, but did you call the body shop and ask if they may remember unhooking something? That would be a start, from there the fuse box is an easy thing to check, don't forget the main fuse is on the side of the fuse box under the power wires running in the box. If they shorted something out in theory it should be one of the main fuses, there is another main fuse on the battery terminal positive side.

If you find blown fuses, keep in mind something blew them in the first place and checking that circuit is a good idea, if you've had wires run hot they will smell a little when your close to them.