Just when you though it was safe to back out of the driveway... (cue music from Jaws) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

All was going so well. Then I noticed that the instrument panel had no back lighting with the headlights on. Ah, I must have disconnected the connector from the dimmer switch on the dash when tracing the ignition circuit to fix the starting problem! So I open up the side panel and, sure enough, the connector was detached. I reconnected it and started to close up the panel... And then I saw a tiny spark light in the shadows of the dash, which was caused by one the of "constant power" leads that a previous owner had installed. It was insulated. But the insulating sleeve had slid a few millimeters down the wire - just enough to let the hot lead contact the metal frame. And I thought, "Man, I hope that didn't short anything out..."

It did. I did a heck of a job too - that little short fried the RAM in the engine control module. I found that out when I started the vehicle up and went for a drive. The engine started idling a bit rough, followed by a CEL. I hooked up my code reader (which I've learned to keep in my Sporty at all times) and get a misfire on cylinder 3... and 1, 2 and 4. And then the P0604 code pops up...

"Internal Control Module Random Access Memory Error"

And after an hour of digging through the Kia service manuals (I'm so glad I bought the set!), I ran through the troubleshooting process to confirm, indeed, that I fried the RAM in the ECM... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

So it looks like I'll be heading to a bone yard to find a brain... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Since I have finally realized that I haven't updated this thread, I will do so now...

The dual battery setup is working, and very well, I must say. The new, beefy cables combined with the starter-solenoid bypass mod has my Sporty starting like new - no hesitation or drag on the starter. It fires right up!!! I did have to replace the ECU. I was able to find a used unit on eBay. I still need to finish up the floor of the cargo area. I'm planning to lay down some plywood to level everything with the lid on the battery box. And I still need to seal the lid with some weather stripping (to seal it from the cabin). That said, this approach to running dual batteries with isolation works!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I will post more pics when I get the cargo area finished up...

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />