Engine just died (fixed)
#1
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
Engine just died (fixed)
Yesterday morning I left for work, walked to the garage, started the car and walked around to the front to unplug the heater. Then got back in the car, sat down and the car just died. Turned the key, nothing. What the heck? Popped the hood and walked to the front and lifted it. Ding ding ding, the shimes going off because I had the keys in the ignition. What the heck? Go back and start it, it dies again. Ok, this is odd? What to check first? Battery cables. Walk around and wiggle the plus side, Hmm, that looks like it'* loose. Get a wrench, bolt wont move. Got it to move a little, started the car and made it to work without being late. Came out during the day and was able to tighten the cable.
Today I went out and was able to get the bolt out, I hate side terminal batterys. Was really corroded. Cleaned it all up and tightened it up. Seems like it was never tight. I got a new battery less then a year ago from battery plus and had them install it.
This might explain a few odd thigs I've noticed. I had a few slight rough idles, nothing much. As well as some odd feelings when driving, hard to explain, just didn't run right some times.
Today I went out and was able to get the bolt out, I hate side terminal batterys. Was really corroded. Cleaned it all up and tightened it up. Seems like it was never tight. I got a new battery less then a year ago from battery plus and had them install it.
This might explain a few odd thigs I've noticed. I had a few slight rough idles, nothing much. As well as some odd feelings when driving, hard to explain, just didn't run right some times.
#2
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canada, Montreal
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
exactly the same thing hapenned to me..actually i had some protective plastic around my pos and neg connectors and it had melted because of heat...anyways my car was dead for 3 days finally after even buying a new starter(thinking that was the problem) i just cleaned up the connection, but still ahd the problem. ended up buying a new battery and it fixed my problem..you should look into that battery warranty
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had an intermittent engine shut-off, and occasional failure to start, that finally cleared up once I REALLY cleaned the positive cables, and put a nice amount of dielectric grease between the 2 cable neds and the battery itself too.
I had done a quickie job the first time I cleaned them, thinking it was gonna be good enough, and it wasn't long before the troubles came back. I was prepared to go and get a different battery, with hopes that the cables would stay tightened, I still don't understand how they keep workign themselves loose.
Now I'm going on 6 months with no recurrence. I'm thinking that having cleaned and tightened your cables, you may just be good to go! Hope it turns out to be that simple for you!
I had done a quickie job the first time I cleaned them, thinking it was gonna be good enough, and it wasn't long before the troubles came back. I was prepared to go and get a different battery, with hopes that the cables would stay tightened, I still don't understand how they keep workign themselves loose.
Now I'm going on 6 months with no recurrence. I'm thinking that having cleaned and tightened your cables, you may just be good to go! Hope it turns out to be that simple for you!
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
This is a really common problem that most don't believe when we suggest to really clean the corrosion from both ends of both cables. Glad you got it fixed!
Could you please add "fixed" to the title of this topic. It will make this information much more valuable in the search archives. Thanks.
Could you please add "fixed" to the title of this topic. It will make this information much more valuable in the search archives. Thanks.
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds good. However, if the connection was not tight for a few months, it might have ruined a lot of the life of the battery and alternator, so if a few weeks or months down the road you have similar problems, you know where to look first
#6
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
Originally Posted by impatient99
Sounds good. However, if the connection was not tight for a few months, it might have ruined a lot of the life of the battery and alternator, so if a few weeks or months down the road you have similar problems, you know where to look first
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
390Merc
Introductions for new members
17
08-11-2011 11:46 PM
DannyM
1992-1999
38
09-01-2005 10:28 PM