HELP!!! electrical or battery problem?

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:40 pm

this all started about 2 days ago. sometimes when I drive, my headunit suddently shuts off. ALL the wiring is done up correctly and nothing is loose I triple checked. then after that happens , if I shut off my car, my car wont start, there is power, because when the headunit malfunctions, my power steering, brakes, headlights, all electrical still works. BUt once I try to start my car, it wont turn over.

so I thought it was the positive terminal of the battery since before I had the problem starting the car long ago due to a faulty clamp or it was too corroded. So needless to say, I replaced it again, .things seem to work fine until 2 days later (today). same issue, headunit acting up, cant start car. It also happened yesterday and I luckily had tools in my car, I jiggled the positive terminal and the neg terminal around and after about 10 minutes of it, it finally worked no problem. and it ONLY seems to be doing this after I floor the car for whatever reason or go near WOT...

MY car does have some battery acid stuff around the posts of the battery since my car is a daily driver. I already did my best to clean it up not long ago so I don't know if that's the issue??

any inputs? i'm completely stumped. the battery is only a year old and I never have my car sit for more than 2 days and I never have the electronics on in my car without my car being on.

Thanks in advance.

by **anwagbo3000** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:54 pm

could it be the negative or positive terminals, that could be the problem, maybe there isnt enough contact from both terminals

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:55 pm

both terminal clamps are brand new.. still having the issue.

by **Camry Racing** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:26 pm

Get the car to autozone to check the battery and the alternator is FREE there

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:32 pm

I just went for an oil change not long ago - about 2 months ago (too cold to do it myself when the garage is full), and they tested my battery and said it was fine.

by **anwagbo3000** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:46 pm

it could be the alternator, or their is a wiring problem somehere, how about your starter

by **Sebas007** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:48 pm

^^

he also said...alternator

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:49 pm

Hrm. I'll drive to autozone now, see what they can say about the alternator/battery.

by **Midias** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:09 pm

Drive to autozone take off the alternator then they can test it. I bet that is your problem. Then kick your self for not checking it with a DMM first.

by **Donnie** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:33 pm

An old trick we used to do with our V-8's but not sure if it still applies with post 70's wiring harnesses is with the car running take the negative cable off of the battery. If it stayed running it meant it was more than likely the battery because the alternator would keep it going. If it died this usually meant the alternator was bad. But back then wiring was so simple. There's been many a time I've wrapped a fuse in the foil from a cigarette pack and even once had to use a coat hanger as a coil wire when someone thought it would be funny to take mine for a joke and leave me stranded. He didn't laugh long, ya don't mess with a mans ride.

by **gnegroni** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:02 pm

I had a similar problem with an old Ford Aerostar. It would have power, but wouldn't start. Alternator (can't check as per Donnie's instructions cause it wont start?) nor starter was the problem. It ended up being a short (positive was going to ground). It took my mechanic back then 2 afternoons to find the culprit.

I'm not sure if it can be done or not, but can you start your car with a group push? How about jump starting it?

by **Ruski** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:34 pm

^ you can do that in manuel cars, from a roll , by poping the clutch and what not , i dont know how to do it , i dont have a stick car, but my buddies can do it

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:56 pm

went to 3 autozones in my area. both their machines to test battery AND alternator were broken .. :roll:

but ehh car still works good for now, when I get more time and better weather I will furthermore look into this problem. funny thing, the whole time driving to and back from all the autozones, no issues..

by **Midias** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:01 pm

woa_its_j3ff wrote:went to 3 autozones in my area. both their machines to test battery AND alternator were broken .. but ehh car still works good for now, when I get more time and better weather I will furthermore look into this problem. funny thing, the whole time driving to and back from all the autozones, no issues..

Why don't you throw a DMM over the terminals and read the voltage while you are having problems?

by **gnegroni** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:52 am

Nice suggestion midias... it should read close to 12 volts when shut, and more than 14v when car is running. Something like that.

HELP!!! electrical or battery problem?

HELP!!! electrical or battery problem?

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