What is the Problem?

sw21 · 11-04-2009, 03:01 PM

Well last night I get in the car and as soon as I attempt to crank it on, everything electrical dies completely ( short out perhaps?). The batt is only 4 months old. Nothing was left on at all either so the batt was not drained. The second attempt nothing even turned on ( lights on the doors, dashboard, clock etc.) . 15 minutes later I open the door ( no key in ignition) and the lights come back on everywere. Final attempt finally started up again. This just scares me because I cannot pin point the issue. Any suggestions?

muffinman · 11-04-2009, 03:30 PM

sounds like a faulty ground.

when you try to start it do you get a loud click and then it goes dark?

Medusa · 11-04-2009, 05:58 PM

This almost certainly sounds like ground issues. Make sure EVERY SINGLE ground lead is properly connected. And don't wait around on this one. Grounding issues can cause fires.

sw21 · 11-04-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffinman

sounds like a faulty ground.

when you try to start it do you get a loud click and then it goes dark?

Bingo exactly what happened. Were do I find the grounds? Is this a difficult job/ expensive?

Medusa · 11-04-2009, 09:23 PM

To do it yourself, it's pretty much free. But any automotive wiring job will make your brain turn to mush if you don't have full wiring diagrams and excellent documentation skills, and even then it's a pain.

Remember though, if you have a shop do it then you'll pay dearly for it. Especially wiring, it really can be a pain sometimes.

sw21 · 11-04-2009, 09:26 PM

Anyone have a schematic? Has anyone got this done professionally? trying to find a price range for this work

Medusa · 11-04-2009, 09:28 PM

The BGB will have all the diagrams, as well as AllData if you have access to it.

sw21 · 11-04-2009, 09:30 PM

Ok I will give it a shot. I am no pro so I will take it slow

MANDALAY · 11-04-2009, 09:37 PM

Check the 2 main grounds.
1) battery terminal and its ground. Make sure its OEM or thicker just in case its been swapped. No salt around the terminal.
2) Engine gear box to body , left hand side of the engine , under the air box.

MANDALAY · 11-04-2009, 09:41 PM

Also get a multimeter and check the output of your alternator with the engine running.
But i reckon its a ground issue from what you have discribed.
Maybe when you put the new battery in it was not tightened down properly

sw21 · 11-05-2009, 04:45 AM

How long do I have if I just were to continue without fixing this right now because I am having financial issues

CJMR2T · 11-05-2009, 05:35 AM

Like eveyone is saying it sounds like a ground issue and being that your losing everything, Then its most likely in the battery ground cable.

At the most to fix it would cost you $10 and thats to do it correctly.

First check the connections on the battery. Make sure they are tight and clean.

After that, follow the ground (negitive) cable from the battery to where it connects to the chassis and make sure that its clean and tight too.

Also, Have you actually checked to make sure that the battery is not drained???

Just because you personally didn't leave anything on, doesn't mean that it didn't get drained from something else. For example, a shorted diode in the alternator will drain a battery in very short order. Also, it a couple of cells in the battery shorted, this will cause a lose of battery power too....

Lastly (atleast for now) did you recently, do anything to the car that involved the electrical system like say a stereo system install, etc...???

muffinman · 11-05-2009, 09:12 AM

just clean the grounds and make sure they are tight = FREE.

sw21 · 11-05-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJMR2T

Like eveyone is saying it sounds like a ground issue and being that your losing everything, Then its most likely in the battery ground cable.

At the most to fix it would cost you $10 and thats to do it correctly.

First check the connections on the battery. Make sure they are tight and clean.

After that, follow the ground (negitive) cable from the battery to where it connects to the chassis and make sure that its clean and tight too.

Also, Have you actually checked to make sure that the battery is not drained???

Just because you personally didn't leave anything on, doesn't mean that it didn't get drained from something else. For example, a shorted diode in the alternator will drain a battery in very short order. Also, it a couple of cells in the battery shorted, this will cause a lose of battery power too....

Lastly (atleast for now) did you recently, do anything to the car that involved the electrical system like say a stereo system install, etc...???

About 3 months ago I changed the deck to aftermarket So guess I should check that out too thanks

CJMR2T · 11-05-2009, 03:22 PM

Well if its been in the car for 3 months with no problems up until now, I doubt it would be a source. Now if you had installed in the last few days, then that would be a different story...

Did you double check your battery with a volt meter to make sure that it was fully charged (at least to 12.6v or higher)?

traintech86 · 11-06-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sw21

How long do I have if I just were to continue without fixing this right now because I am having financial issues

you're not having financial issues yet, just wait until this causes your car to burst into flames. it doesn't sound like an expensive issue to fix and the worst case will cost you so much....

sabing · 11-06-2009, 03:26 AM

step 1. pop hood.
step 2. Look at battery neg terminal
step 3. disconnect it, wipe it off, reconnect. test car

sw21 · 11-08-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJMR2T

Well if its been in the car for 3 months with no problems up until now, I doubt it would be a source. Now if you had installed in the last few days, then that would be a different story...

Did you double check your battery with a volt meter to make sure that it was fully charged (at least to 12.6v or higher)?

Have not had the proper funds to pick one up. Looking into borrowing 1 from a buddy. I will be done though

sw21 · 11-08-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traintech86

you're not having financial issues yet, just wait until this causes your car to burst into flames. it doesn't sound like an expensive issue to fix and the worst case will cost you so much....

That was just a question in the case that I would need so seek professional help. Just FYI the car is not being used since the issue began.

SVX92 · 11-22-2009, 05:25 AM

I'm having the same issue. Thought it was a battery draining or maybe the alternator. This seems a lot more likely, as stated above, nothing was left on. The car just intermitenly dies.

So we've got a ground to the battery and one under the air box, any others? If not should I get some aftermarket ones and just do some extras for precaution sake?

11-04-2009, 03:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
sw21 Cleaner Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 119 Thanks: 30 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	What is the Problem? Well last night I get in the car and as soon as I attempt to crank it on, everything electrical dies completely ( short out perhaps?). The batt is only 4 months old. Nothing was left on at all either so the batt was not drained. The second attempt nothing even turned on ( lights on the doors, dashboard, clock etc.) . 15 minutes later I open the door ( no key in ignition) and the lights come back on everywere. Final attempt finally started up again. This just scares me because I cannot pin point the issue. Any suggestions?

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11-04-2009, 03:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
muffinman Brain Surgeon Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,804 Thanks: 24 Thanked 102 Times in 99 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	sounds like a faulty ground. when you try to start it do you get a loud click and then it goes dark?

11-04-2009, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Medusa Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 627 Thanks: 9 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	This almost certainly sounds like ground issues. Make sure EVERY SINGLE ground lead is properly connected. And don't wait around on this one. Grounding issues can cause fires.

11-04-2009, 09:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Medusa Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 627 Thanks: 9 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	To do it yourself, it's pretty much free. But any automotive wiring job will make your brain turn to mush if you don't have full wiring diagrams and excellent documentation skills, and even then it's a pain. Remember though, if you have a shop do it then you'll pay dearly for it. Especially wiring, it really can be a pain sometimes.

11-04-2009, 09:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
sw21 Cleaner Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 119 Thanks: 30 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Anyone have a schematic? Has anyone got this done professionally? trying to find a price range for this work

11-04-2009, 09:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Medusa Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 627 Thanks: 9 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	The BGB will have all the diagrams, as well as AllData if you have access to it.

11-04-2009, 09:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
sw21 Cleaner Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 119 Thanks: 30 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Ok I will give it a shot. I am no pro so I will take it slow

11-04-2009, 09:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
MANDALAY Beams Owners Group Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: victoria AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,837 Thanks: 88 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Check the 2 main grounds. 1) battery terminal and its ground. Make sure its OEM or thicker just in case its been swapped. No salt around the terminal. 2) Engine gear box to body , left hand side of the engine , under the air box.

11-04-2009, 09:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
MANDALAY Beams Owners Group Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: victoria AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,837 Thanks: 88 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Also get a multimeter and check the output of your alternator with the engine running. But i reckon its a ground issue from what you have discribed. Maybe when you put the new battery in it was not tightened down properly

11-05-2009, 04:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
sw21 Cleaner Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 119 Thanks: 30 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	How long do I have if I just were to continue without fixing this right now because I am having financial issues

11-05-2009, 05:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
CJMR2T Fabricator Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 128 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Like eveyone is saying it sounds like a ground issue and being that your losing everything, Then its most likely in the battery ground cable. At the most to fix it would cost you $10 and thats to do it correctly. First check the connections on the battery. Make sure they are tight and clean. After that, follow the ground (negitive) cable from the battery to where it connects to the chassis and make sure that its clean and tight too. Also, Have you actually checked to make sure that the battery is not drained??? Just because you personally didn't leave anything on, doesn't mean that it didn't get drained from something else. For example, a shorted diode in the alternator will drain a battery in very short order. Also, it a couple of cells in the battery shorted, this will cause a lose of battery power too.... Lastly (atleast for now) did you recently, do anything to the car that involved the electrical system like say a stereo system install, etc...???

11-05-2009, 09:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
muffinman Brain Surgeon Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,804 Thanks: 24 Thanked 102 Times in 99 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	just clean the grounds and make sure they are tight = FREE.

11-05-2009, 03:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
CJMR2T Fabricator Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 128 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Well if its been in the car for 3 months with no problems up until now, I doubt it would be a source. Now if you had installed in the last few days, then that would be a different story... Did you double check your battery with a volt meter to make sure that it was fully charged (at least to 12.6v or higher)?

11-06-2009, 03:26 AM	#17 (permalink)
sabing Some Skills Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta Posts: 92 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	step 1. pop hood. step 2. Look at battery neg terminal step 3. disconnect it, wipe it off, reconnect. test car

11-22-2009, 05:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
SVX92 Some Skills Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 56 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I'm having the same issue. Thought it was a battery draining or maybe the alternator. This seems a lot more likely, as stated above, nothing was left on. The car just intermitenly dies. So we've got a ground to the battery and one under the air box, any others? If not should I get some aftermarket ones and just do some extras for precaution sake?