Car won't start

zach · 02-02-2009, 07:21 AM

Last week, my wife informed me that the car wouldn't start. It wouldn't even turn over and no power worked at all (e.g. the power locks didn't work). I am due for a new battery, so I tried that first. I got a new battery, and still, nothing. No power at all.

I had AAA come to tow it and they decided to jump start it to see what happened. It started, and I figured I just had a defective battery. However, after driving it for a while, it started doing weird things. The ABS and ASC lights came on, the radio stopped working. All interior and exterior lights were flickering.

I dropped it at the shop. I have no clue what could be wrong with it. Any ideas here?

equ · 02-02-2009, 07:33 AM

Alternator or a short?

FC · 02-02-2009, 08:00 AM

Alternator.

zach · 02-02-2009, 08:17 AM

Just talked to mechanic. He said it was probably either the alternator or some sort of master fuse (I forget exactly what he called it) that usually only breaks in a bad accident. Doesn't sound so bad...

FC · 02-02-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcasavant

Just talked to mechanic. He said it was probably either the alternator or some sort of master fuse (I forget exactly what he called it) that usually only breaks in a bad accident. Doesn't sound so bad...

Shouldn't be too bad.

kognito · 02-02-2009, 10:07 AM

If the master link (fuse) went, I don't think it would have jump started (unless it is a connection problem at the master link)

IMHO there is nothing worse to troubleshoot than electrical issues

Optimus Prime · 02-02-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kognito

IMHO there is nothing worse to troubleshoot than electrical issues

+1

rumatt · 02-02-2009, 02:32 PM

update?

lupinsea · 02-03-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kognito

If the master link (fuse) went, I don't think it would have jump started (unless it is a connection problem at the master link)

IMHO there is nothing worse to troubleshoot than electrical issues

Yeah.

I remember the time my Jeep had a problem and died on me. One of the guys in our club hooked up a $5000 Snap-on diagnostic computer but we couldn't figure out the problem still. So I figured to take it into the dealership and have the Jeep techs work it over.

It was in for a full week and had 2-3 techs working on it at a time. They replaced the computer, tore apart the dash, tore out the center console and went through each area system by system. As I was told this over the phone I kept seeing big dollar signs piling up.

In the end it turns out I hadn't secured part of the wiring harness during my transfercase installation and it had fallen, gotten pinched, and shorted the fuel pump circuit (which REALLY confused the computer so it just shut down).

In the end I only paid $100 for diagnostic and $300 for R&R to pull the bottom skid and splice in a $0.50 piece of wire. Given all the time I felt VERY fortunate to get out of there for only $400.

Sort of felt like doing this, a lot:

.

zach · 02-03-2009, 05:19 PM

The battery contacts on the car side were corroded. I had thought of that, but never did anything about it.

Both rear brake calipers being rebuilt, too. WTF is it with his car and calipers? As of this afternoon, each caliper has now been replaced TWICE in the past 6 years.

02-02-2009, 07:21 AM	#1
zach swinging for the fences Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,034	Car won't start Last week, my wife informed me that the car wouldn't start. It wouldn't even turn over and no power worked at all (e.g. the power locks didn't work). I am due for a new battery, so I tried that first. I got a new battery, and still, nothing. No power at all. I had AAA come to tow it and they decided to jump start it to see what happened. It started, and I figured I just had a defective battery. However, after driving it for a while, it started doing weird things. The ABS and ASC lights came on, the radio stopped working. All interior and exterior lights were flickering. I dropped it at the shop. I have no clue what could be wrong with it. Any ideas here?

02-02-2009, 10:07 AM	#6
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,897	If the master link (fuse) went, I don't think it would have jump started (unless it is a connection problem at the master link) IMHO there is nothing worse to troubleshoot than electrical issues __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

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zach swinging for the fences Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,034	The battery contacts on the car side were corroded. I had thought of that, but never did anything about it. Both rear brake calipers being rebuilt, too. WTF is it with his car and calipers? As of this afternoon, each caliper has now been replaced TWICE in the past 6 years.