Intermitent loss of electrical power.
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: KS
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Intermitent loss of electrical power.
HI All,
Newbie here to this forum. I'm trying to figure out what the deal is with my mother'* car. 98 SE. About once per month it will not start. She will go out to the car, insert the key and get nothing, no dings, clicks nothing. At this time she will notice that the clock on the radio has reset. So it appears that the car is loosing power.
The battery had been load tested and checks out fine. The battery cables as well appear to be fine, although I haven't taken them off and checked for resistance.
Now here is the really weird part. She can wait 5-60 minutes and it will start fine and be fine for over a month. Go figure.
My guess is either a loose battery cable at the starter or the starter/solenoid is shorting out causing the car to loose power for a while.
Suggestions on where to start?
Newbie here to this forum. I'm trying to figure out what the deal is with my mother'* car. 98 SE. About once per month it will not start. She will go out to the car, insert the key and get nothing, no dings, clicks nothing. At this time she will notice that the clock on the radio has reset. So it appears that the car is loosing power.
The battery had been load tested and checks out fine. The battery cables as well appear to be fine, although I haven't taken them off and checked for resistance.
Now here is the really weird part. She can wait 5-60 minutes and it will start fine and be fine for over a month. Go figure.
My guess is either a loose battery cable at the starter or the starter/solenoid is shorting out causing the car to loose power for a while.
Suggestions on where to start?
#3
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Salina, KS
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all, a grand welcome!! Finally another KS member!!
Let'* see some more info here, so our resident gearheads don't have to ask when they get here...first of all, I see a year a year and trim...is there any other information you can give us regarding the problem, i.e. what are some constants? Have you tried using different keys? Does it just do absolutely nothing, or does it turn over and not start? Any clicking, or odors??
Let'* see some more info here, so our resident gearheads don't have to ask when they get here...first of all, I see a year a year and trim...is there any other information you can give us regarding the problem, i.e. what are some constants? Have you tried using different keys? Does it just do absolutely nothing, or does it turn over and not start? Any clicking, or odors??
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Re: Intermitent loss of electrical power.
Originally Posted by NotDadsW41
My guess is either a loose battery cable at the starter or the starter/solenoid is shorting out causing the car to loose power for a while.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: KS
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since it'* my mom'* I'm not sure on dual cables or not.
It'* really wierd though. It acts like the battery was unhooked for an instant and then it will be fine for days on end. Then one day, nothing.
It makes no noises, buzzes, clicks, pops etc.
I'll check all the cables next time I can get to see the car. I'm in KS and she'* in SE Nebr.
TrueWildMan - I went to school and worked in Salina for several years. Nice Town. It'* sure grown in the last 5 years too.
It'* really wierd though. It acts like the battery was unhooked for an instant and then it will be fine for days on end. Then one day, nothing.
It makes no noises, buzzes, clicks, pops etc.
I'll check all the cables next time I can get to see the car. I'm in KS and she'* in SE Nebr.
TrueWildMan - I went to school and worked in Salina for several years. Nice Town. It'* sure grown in the last 5 years too.
#7
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Robbinsdale, MN
Posts: 15,408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check the relay center under the hood. If there is a bolt in the middle of that, check if it'* tight. Had a similar problem on my LeSabre and that was the culprit.
#8
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
I'll go with the intermittent loose connection. Especially the ground like acg said. I'd also not rule out a bad battery. I've seen batteries with a broken or cracked post on the INSIDE do that.
Start with the cables, though, and we can go from there. Next month, right?
Start with the cables, though, and we can go from there. Next month, right?