Twice now within 2 month this happened: I parked the car after normal driving. 1 hr later I tried to start, the starter went "click" and all lights went out. I tried boosting from another car. the lights were on when turned on the ignition but went out as soon as I tried to start. 2 month ago it was towed to a shop. After the car was lowered from the tow truck a mechanic tried and started the car!
Today the same thing happened. The starter said "click" and everything went black. Everything was tried but did not work. The car got towed home, and tried again. The dome and dash lights are on, but go off as soon as ignition is turned on. Then I had my supper and after went out to walk to my daughter's place. I thought: try once more! - And it started like nothing had happened.
Does anybody have an idea why this off again on again can happen?
2006-11-26 14:02:06 · 5 answers · asked by fresch2 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The battery was my first thought, but it was checked and fully charged in both cases.
And why would it start normally after a couple of hours if it was dead??
2006-11-26 14:09:08 · update #1
Mr KnowItAll: you are partly right, but the terminals were cleaned! The interuption must be someplace else.
2006-11-26 14:18:34 · update #2
My first guess from your discription of the symptoms is a bad ground wire to the starter! I've had a very similar problem on a couple different cars. I would first ensure your battery terminals are clean and tight.
2006-11-26 14:13:38 · answer #1 · answered by ItsThatSimple 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check battery connections, -- the starter current will knock out "weak connections"- when there is corrosion on battery posts! When you check headlights, they are out, but if you wait a little while they may "pop" back on -- repeating same thing when you hit starter again! The "headlight check" tells you wether you have a "weak battery", or bad conections! It will "dim down", but stay "lit" if the battery is low or weak, -- and will go completely out if the connections are bad! You can narrow down which "connection" by taking a screwdriver blade or pair of pliers or some other "metal object" handy,-- and bridge between lead battery post, and side of battery clamp, if lights are out (from non conncection due to corrosion) - this will make a spark, and the lights will come on again!
I happen to have a 96 Neon, and the battery clamps are pretty "cheap and cheesy", - mine are about corroded enough that they are probably going to break the next time I have to take them off and clean them up! To clean them up, pull the clamp off post, - and immerse it in a cup or drinking glass with a couple teaspoons of baking soda mixed in, (soda is a "base" and acid will be neutralized by it)-- the mixture will bubble pretty vigorously at first, but as the corrosion is dissolved it will slow down, - when it stops, try a mix of "new soda and water", -- if it still stays "calm" the terminal is now clean! You can use the same water also to clean around the terminals and top of battery, -just flush well with fresh water to get it all off (it drys messy looking), --you can use a rag, - or paper towel to "scrub the posts" and local area as you clean them, -- when you finish wash hands well with soap and water!
Weird as it seems if you "smear" the connections up real good with grease, - it seals out the air (& moisture) and it is harder to get corrosion started on terminals! Messy but effective!
Note, -- if you get stranded somewhere, and you think it is the battery connections (& you have no tools to take apart and clean up), --Soda pop (especially colas) poured on top of connections very slowly with waits between "soakings" (or even water if nothing else available). The carbontion in the "sodapop" does pretty good job of neutralizing corrosion, and water works farily well -- but slow! This will generally get you started, - and home where you can do proper job of cleaning up....
2006-11-26 23:18:13 · answer #2 · answered by guess78624 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove and clean the battery terminals, and battery posts.
Your battery has voltage, but has a problem getting to the rest of the car.
2006-11-26 22:04:58 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
okheres the deal next time it happens have a volt meteor handy if its a top post batery, check the voltage at the post and with the car blacked out check it at the termnals sounds alot like theres some corsin between the post and the termalns
2006-11-26 23:19:10 · answer #4 · answered by ilikecheezeburgers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the battery tested. Most likely the battery has seen god.
2006-11-26 22:04:44 · answer #5 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋