I've used this site for years, but I usually just browse until I find my answer, but I have been able to find any similar threads. We recently installed a new radiator fan on my 04 Rx-8. We completely reassembled everything except the front bumper. When we plugged the battery back in, the only thing that is receiving power, is the dash lights, headlights, brake lights, and windshield wipers. Everything else is unusable. No power steering, locks, dome lights, radio, windows, anything of that sort. When I try to start it, it won't turn over, and the battery just clicks once. We have made sure everything was plugged back in and have been checking fuses all day with no idea as to where to go next. Any help is appreciated, Thanks!

 

are the battery terminals clean and tight? did you remove any of the grounds? iirc theres one just above the rad

 

terminals are clean and tight. everything APPEARS to be connected correctly. although I have been wrong plenty before.

 

The thing the mentioned systems have in common are the battery ground strap and the battery positive cable. Start checking that everything is snug. The click you get when you try to start the car is 99% of the time indicative of insufficient current to the starter, either because the battery is dead or because the connectors are not clean and tight, or because there's a break in the circuit elsewhere. That last is why you want to start your diagnosis from the things all of the affected systems have in common.