i have a 94 sentra with about 75k on it. lately, when i am driving for a while, it starts to shake a lot and the radio fades in and out. no static, just gets really quiet and then back to original volume. i noticed that when the shaking begins, the lights in the dash flicker. and the other day when the key is in the "start" position WITHOUT cranking the engine, i don't even have enough power to wind up the window. now the engine has to be started to draw enough power to wind the windows up. i have had to jumpstart it twice in three days. i got a brand new battery on nov. 10th BEFORE this issue even started. the alternator is fine. and the battery can hold the charge. (i can restart right after the boost). my dad says it may be a loose ground wire? any thoughts?? thanks in advance.
2006-12-06 05:33:41 · 8 answers · asked by morequestions 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would say your dad is correct. You must have a ground that goes to the engine, and a seperate ground that goes to the body of the vehicle. They must be tight, free of rust, and the correct size to carry the load. Try this: Turn on your radio, and grab the dash at the bottom, and at the top, and physically try to shake the whole dash. If the radio does this problem, then the dash is not making a good ground with the body of the vehicle. A lot of the newer vehicles has a spring loaded type piece of metal that makes a ground to the body, but it isn't attached with any bolts or screws. This can cause all kinds of problems if the dash is loose, or the metal sprap is not making a good connection with the car body. A fix would be to attach a good thick wire to some metal on the dash, and attach the other end to the body or the engine itself. As for the window issue: There is a cluster of wires that go from the door through the body around where the hinges are in the door. Sometimes these will get worn and/or break. With the door all the way open, try activating the switch that moves the window while you move the cluster of wires around to see if this effects the motion of the window. If it does, then you have a bad wire in the cluster. A bad ground can burn the window motor out after a while, so you may have a bad motor that moves the window. Since the vehicle is a "94" then I would say you need a new motor, and it is on its last leg anyway. These problems may not even be related to each other, as many times they aren't.
Glad I could help you. Good Luck!!!
2006-12-06 06:06:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with the diagnostics, so that you know where you are going.
1) With a DIGITAL volt meter, what is the battery static voltage? With the doors closed, engine off and the voltage across the terminals? If the voltage is < 12.5 V, it isn't FULLY charged.
12.68 V Full Charge
12.45 V 75%
12.24 V 50%
12.06 V 25%
11.89 V Dead
If your readings are indicating that the battery is < 75% charge, charge it up and let it sit for a couple of hours without charge or discharge, and take the readings again.
If they aren't > 12.5 V or more, consider the battery at fault.
With the car idling, connect the meter to the battery the same way. Charging voltage at idle should be in the range of 13.8 V to 14.5 V with no lights or heater on. The voltage should drop very slightly when you turn the lights on, and then climb back up to the original level.
If the voltage is not in this range, consider the alternator to be a failure.
With the volt meter connected to the battery, with the engine idling, select "AC Volts" on the meter. It should read either very low (< .025VAC) or NO volts. The car is a DC system, and if there is AC in the system the battery won't like it, and it will confuse the car's computer and digital devices (radio, stereo, amp, etc.)
With this information you should be able to at least positively eliminate some of the possibilities regarding the little car.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas
2006-12-06 06:09:27 · answer #2 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Loose ground is a very good guess or a short in the wiring have a honest mech. trace it for you,I know a fair mech are hard to find.
2006-12-06 05:44:36 · answer #3 · answered by stanley f 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a loose ground to me. it could be from the radio.
2006-12-06 05:46:06 · answer #4 · answered by Toby K 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
check for loose wires... clean the battery termanials.they can loosen in a month
2006-12-06 05:42:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, check if your battery terminals are loose or corroded.
2006-12-06 06:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by veggie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
verify THE BATTERY TERMINAL CONNECTIONS ON the two THE BATERRY AND the different end OF the floor CABLE TO BE clean AND TIGHT. additionally understand that EVEN a clean BATTERY would be undesirable.
2016-10-14 03:48:01 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
days never lie a when it comes to grounds
2006-12-06 05:55:53 · answer #8 · answered by adam coon 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋