I just purchased a Acclaim from a police auction (yes, I know it is gambling) I put a good battery in it, and as soon as I turn the key, all the lights instantly go out. It doesn't even start.
But if I take both the battery terminal cables off, then put them back on, the lights are just as strong as ever. Then as soon as I turn the key, its lights out again.
It takes a jumpstart and will drive as long as I don't turn it off.
What could the problem be? I'd rather not take it to a shop unless I absolutely have to, since I don't want to pay them $60/hr to do something. I would rather tink around with it and spend 5 hours on it myself than pay so much.
($175, though!)
2006-12-09 05:23:25 · 7 answers · asked by Johnny 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Alternator. take it off and most parts stores will test it for free.
2006-12-09 05:31:08 · answer #1 · answered by korikill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spring for a $20 voltmeter so you can tell what's wrong yourself. When it won't start check the battery voltage. The battery terminals are probably making a bad connection. You can draw enough current to run the lights, but when you try to draw a couple hundred amps to start, the connection goes bad. Clean the terminals and posts and make sure everything is tight. Check the connections to ground and the solenoid too. Everybody has been caught by this one.
2006-12-09 07:40:59 · answer #2 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,and i think you need to check the battery connections real good on it to see if there clean and tight,,this will cause what your describing,,and also these cars have a bad reputation for bad ground wires on them id check all of that,,and there's always the chance it may have a bad starter on it,,you could at least take it by any auto zone store and have them check it,and they can tell you if its the starter or the battery ,there good at finding problems,,and its a free service also,,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.,,,have a god x-mas.
2006-12-09 05:32:13 · answer #3 · answered by dodge man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like the starter is on it's last legs,that would be my best guess.You might be able to have it checked at a repair shop you trust.They can do a voltage/draw test on it.Good luck.
2006-12-09 05:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by festeringhump 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
sounds like theres a short in the starter,or you got hold of a bad battery,also the battery could have a short in it.
2006-12-09 05:28:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could one of two things: your alternator or your starter.
2006-12-09 05:28:24 · answer #6 · answered by Gabe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cables may have a short in them
2006-12-09 05:26:58 · answer #7 · answered by cueup12002 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋