Originally posted by contour_phoenix_when:
...
2) When I tried to start the car the lights went out
the car had no power. The door locks would not lock
3) I then opened the hood and touched the negative (red) terminal connections the cabin lights came back on and I was able to start the car.

The negative or red inner most cable connection was not loose. So what did I do when I touched it. Did I groud the battery? So is this an indication that my battery has a grounding issue?

Any thoughts


Battery is low or wiring is loose (loose not necessarily at the battery terminals. Could be loose at the other end. Check all the wiring from battery to alternator and to ground). In addition, red is positive terminal and black is negative terminal.

Test battery. Engine off, lghts on for 1 minute, then voltage across battery terminals should be 12 to 12.5.

Test alternator. Engine running, voltage across battery terminals should be 14 to 14.5

Edit. Loose wire issue.
Originally posted by SetiRich:
Ok, it's 2.5 years later, and I had the problem again...bye-the-way, I fixed it the first time...

There is a small black wire that loops up between the battery & the air filter box. This small wire attaches to a connector at one end, and seems to follow the "main" positive wire to where-ever it goes...haven't followed it.

The end that connects to the connector...is in with a group of wires that comes off the "secondary" positive terminal...this is sort of an extension to the main terminal. Both the pos & neg have these "secondary" connection posts...I guess because they needed more places to connect things close to the battery.

Anyway, the small black wire keeps coming out of the connector end. It's a PIA to get at...you have to remove the battery & battery box. Last time it just seemed to stick in there, so I left it. This time, I'm taking the battery stuff out and fixing it "for good".

I figure this must be something going to the solinoid, since there is no clicking or anything when this is out...and all light's, are great. New battery too...whenever it just doesn't start, I push it back into the connector & off I go for another 5-6 months. Guess it's nice weather again so time to fix it right.

Rich


Last edited by Tony2005; 10/21/05 01:54 PM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles