Either this is a bad idea, or I've done something bad, or my battery is almost dead, which doesn't SEEM right, as it was new a year and a half ago and has never given me an issue.

I've had the battery disconnected for a while, as I work on the dash/pod/console replacement, etc..but it's been several weeks, not that long, really. I want to perform the diagnostic tests to make sure my HVAC stuff is working properly before I button everything up, so I plugged in the HVAC controller, hooked up the ground strap...cabin lights came on...and turned the key to on. Blower works, etc....but I need to start the car to test all the vacuum stuff. As soon as I try to start the car everything dies. No lights, nothing. I go back to the ground strap, disconnect/reconnect, and everything starts up again, but if I try to start it...everything shuts off. Rinse, repeat, etc.

This sounds like a battery that can't source enough current to the starter, but given the lack of any issues before, I'm wondering if it could be something else?

 

Actually never mind. Sometimes posting magically fixes things lol. It started this time...maybe I hadn't made sufficient contact when screwing down the ground cable? I'm sure it was something stupid...

 

Replace the battery ground strap... it will give you problems again

Alan

 

I just replaced it less than a year ago. I did notice it was quite warm when I disconnected it after the day's work. You think maybe it's going bad again that soon?

 

Was it a new one? It should not go bad that quick, but the symptoms are classic - touch the strap and it works - touch it again and it doesn't...

Could also be a very discharged battery (which may also be quite likely if it hasn't been running for a long time).

Alan

 

charge the battery with a 6 amp charger not a trickle charger

 

Yes, the cable was new.

I will see if I can get hold of a charger like that.

Thanks

 

Clean the ends. If it was brand new, I doubt it's gone that bad yet. But if the ends aren't making good contact (lack of tightness, dirt, whatever), then the resistance from the "bad contact" spot will create heat.