Need Electrical Help
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From: Blountstown, Fl
Need Electrical Help
I know this is an F-150 forum but I'm having issues with my girlfriends car and figured I'd post on here to see what everyone thinks.
2000 Mitisbushi Eclipse
4 cyl Auto 108K miles.
About a month ago, her car got to where it wouldn't start but would hold a charge while running. So I thought battery. I bought a new part from the local parts store and had the alternator checked by the gauge that hooks to the battery terminals. Everyone checked out ok so I put a new battery on and went on my way. Last night she goes to crank the car and nothing. No crank, no lights, no door chime NOTHING. I jumped it this morning and drove to school (8-9 miles) and as soon as I turned it off I attempted to start it and nothing. No crank, no lights, no door chime again. This afternoon I got my buddy to jump me off and as I was headed home I was slowing down to a red light and it shuts off. It wouldn't crank, no lights, no door chime, not even the hazard lights would come on. I get my buddy to jump me off again and I make it all the way home. When i get home I turn it off and the car starts up 3 times in a row. 2 hours later it still starts fine.
1st impression: Alternator is going bad. Shot down by the fact that if i take the negative cable away from battery terminal it still runs fine.
2nd Impression: Bad connection somewhere. I took battery cables off and found some corrosion but not enough to fault a start (IMO). I cleaned off and replaced and cranked fine.
3rd Impresion: Bad connection somewhere beneath the motor. I couldn't follow the cables because there wasn't enough room.
Am i on the right track or could it be something else?
2000 Mitisbushi Eclipse
4 cyl Auto 108K miles.
About a month ago, her car got to where it wouldn't start but would hold a charge while running. So I thought battery. I bought a new part from the local parts store and had the alternator checked by the gauge that hooks to the battery terminals. Everyone checked out ok so I put a new battery on and went on my way. Last night she goes to crank the car and nothing. No crank, no lights, no door chime NOTHING. I jumped it this morning and drove to school (8-9 miles) and as soon as I turned it off I attempted to start it and nothing. No crank, no lights, no door chime again. This afternoon I got my buddy to jump me off and as I was headed home I was slowing down to a red light and it shuts off. It wouldn't crank, no lights, no door chime, not even the hazard lights would come on. I get my buddy to jump me off again and I make it all the way home. When i get home I turn it off and the car starts up 3 times in a row. 2 hours later it still starts fine.
1st impression: Alternator is going bad. Shot down by the fact that if i take the negative cable away from battery terminal it still runs fine.
2nd Impression: Bad connection somewhere. I took battery cables off and found some corrosion but not enough to fault a start (IMO). I cleaned off and replaced and cranked fine.
3rd Impresion: Bad connection somewhere beneath the motor. I couldn't follow the cables because there wasn't enough room.
Am i on the right track or could it be something else?
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From: Among javelinas and scorpions in Zoniestan
I suspect a faulty ground, probably where the ground cable from the battery is connected to the engine block or the frame (or wherever). That area is exposed to a lot of road crud and it can become loose or corroded.
The fact that you, at times, get NOTHING from the battery, even when it's charged, tells me there's a break in that circuit. The negative cable is the one that is most likely to have the problem.
If it ever happens again, get out and try to "wiiggle" and "pull" on the negative cable - you're trying to break through any poor connection at the other end here. If you suddenly have power, you've found the problem.
- Jack
The fact that you, at times, get NOTHING from the battery, even when it's charged, tells me there's a break in that circuit. The negative cable is the one that is most likely to have the problem.
If it ever happens again, get out and try to "wiiggle" and "pull" on the negative cable - you're trying to break through any poor connection at the other end here. If you suddenly have power, you've found the problem.
- Jack
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: New York
I agree with JackandJanet. Sounds like a ground problem. Look and find where the batt cable (neg) bolts to the frame. Remove the one or two bolts and sand that terminal down until its clean then spray some power lube or battery protector to keep rust from forming on the clean terminal.
Last edited by bxstang2000; Jun 4, 2008 at 08:16 PM.