Car won't start; and when it doesn't it is DEAD, No dash lights, no hazards, etc

ASSISTANCE Electrical & Entertainment Systems
1

So one of my DAs has this problem; it randomly stops starting, and right now it is just dead. Ok, when I say the car is dead/the car dies, it means that the dash board lights don’t light up, no hazard lights, nothing whatsoever.

Problem:

When the car does not start, the car is dead. You think the battery is absolutely dead, but then 2 seconds later it will start right up like totally normal. A week later of sitting (today), I go try to work on it, with an MFR in my hand, HOPING it MAY be the problem, but with limited tools, and it gives me these symptoms today (battery may POSSIBLY be weak):

At first the car does not respond like mentioned above. Then it DOES respond; dash board lights up, everything works normal.

AND THEN:
turn the key to crank, the first time, I got a buzz. after some research, I’ve concluded it to be the starte relay. let go, the car is dead. Randomly the car would come alive again, the dash lights up, but I would never get past a CLICK when I turn the key to crank.

I’ve also had random things happen, such as: the car dies after the CLICK, I let go of the key, and then the hazard lights relay goes nuts and just starts clicking like a machine gun. Take the relay out, put it back on, and the car is alive again.

Due to my limited access to tools, I was unable to attempt jumping the car. I’m hoping the starter relay may be on its way out, and/or the car battery was just weak. But what would cause the car to randomly DIE?

2

You have a connection problem, main power or ground, most likely a grounding problem.

Check the main power and ground connections, start with the grounds, remove the batt. to get access to the batt. to chassis ground, it is under the batt., this ground should be removed, both contact surfaces cleaned and then reconnected, at the other end of the ground cable is the engine ground, mounted to bracket on transaxle, do the same, remove clean and reconnect.

If the above does not solve the problem, do the same with the main power connections, batt. to starter, batt. to engine bay fuse box and all the main fuses, [the ones held down with Philips screws] again these connections should be undone, cleaned and reconnected. 94

3

Max, is this happening on your DA or Rebecca’s? I’ll try to remember to call you later tonight.

4

fcm,

thanks a lot man, I’ll work on that.

Ive, Rebecca’s car…(now my winter car)

5

My car started to do the exact same thing this week. I have not driven it since that time. It’s a very good chance that the problem is poor grounding…We’ll see this weekend.:read: