All lights flash, loss of power, check engine remains

2010 DODGE CALIBER
95,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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KOTY023
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Recently, my ETC light came on so I bought a new throttle body and had a friend install it. After driving it for about a week, all the lights on the dash began to blink while the speedometer jumped up and down. The car would not accelerate faster than about thirty mph and the check engine light remained on after all the other lights turned off. I have yet to get the error codes, but when I do I will update this. The friend who installed it suggested it may be a loose wire on the battery. I attempted to tighten the bolts on the rings that attach to the electrodes on the battery but it did not help. Any ideas?
Jun 19, 2018 at 7:57 PM
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WILLIAM CRABTREE
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Possibly a bad connection to the body control computer or bad ground wire.
Jun 19, 2018 at 8:20 PM
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KOTY023
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Thanks for the input. If that is the case, any idea how much a fix would run me at a shop?
Jun 19, 2018 at 8:27 PM
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WILLIAM CRABTREE
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Depends on how reputable of a shop it is. If the computer has not been fried, it theoretically should only cost a couple hundred bucks. But I would recommend taking it to an auto electric shop because they specialize in wiring and electrical issues.
Jun 19, 2018 at 9:18 PM
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STRAILER
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The first thing I would do is replace the battery because it sounds like it is shorting internally and clean the battery cables. Here is a guide to help you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

If the problem continues please scan the computer for codes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken

Jun 20, 2018 at 12:14 PM
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KOTY023
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Thank you for the information Ken. I am getting the codes currently and I will post what they find.
Jun 20, 2018 at 12:22 PM
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STRAILER
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Please let me know. :)
Jun 21, 2018 at 11:44 AM