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Ive got a '94, I started it up, backed down the driveway, remembered I forgot something, so I pulled it back up the driveway, turned the car off, when I came back out and tried to start it, nothing. It wont turn over, no clicking noise, nothing. Im 99.9% sure the battery is good, it just came off the tender, besides that, it just started minutes ago. I have no idea whats wrong, hopefully somebody can help.
The only thing I keep thinking, is when I went inside I didnt close the driver door all the way, and I took the keys with me. Wouldve that caused the security system to shut the car down? The alarm didnt set itself or go off though, so I dont know if Im just grasping at straws.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on what might be wrong. I'll be honest, I dont know a ton about cars, but Im willing to try whatever.
Ive got a '94, I started it up, backed down the driveway, remembered I forgot something, so I pulled it back up the driveway, turned the car off, when I came back out and tried to start it, nothing. It wont turn over, no clicking noise, nothing. Im 99.9% sure the battery is good, it just came off the tender, besides that, it just started minutes ago. I have no idea whats wrong, hopefully somebody can help.
The only thing I keep thinking, is when I went inside I didnt close the driver door all the way, and I took the keys with me. Wouldve that caused the security system to shut the car down? The alarm didnt set itself or go off though, so I dont know if Im just grasping at straws.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on what might be wrong. I'll be honest, I dont know a ton about cars, but Im willing to try whatever.
Recently got 92 with same problem. Car would eventually start and then happen again.
Turned out to be badly made key copy from Ace Hardware. (locksmith confirmed) New key made...no problem since.
Security light staying on when you turn key to crank? VATS.
Clean the pellet on the key with a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol. Wait 5 minutes, car should restart just fine. If problem persists, try another key...have a new one made with the correct 1-15 VATS code (locksmith can measure your old one).
No lights come one at all, its like the car is totally dead. No security light, no brake lights, no under the hood lights, etc. It is an automatic and its in Park. The battery connection is the first thing i checked, everything looks good. I havent had any new keys made, Im using the original key and the only one I have.
This is really blowing my mind as to what it could be, I dont have a clue. If any one has any other suggestions, Im all ears. I dont even know where to look next.
Batteries don't always die slowly. Does your voltmeter register anything? Have the battery checked at a shop.
Oh, and have a second key made ASAP. I will cost you a whole lot more later, if you lose the original.
Thanks, I will have the battery checked. I hooked the tender back up to it and it says the battery is fully charged, but who knows. I dont have any other options anyway, I really dont know what to do. You cant even scan a car with no signs of any power, can you?
Thanks, I will have the battery checked. I hooked the tender back up to it and it says the battery is fully charged, but who knows. I dont have any other options anyway, I really dont know what to do. You cant even scan a car with no signs of any power, can you?
I don't think you can scan it.
first thing I'd do is changing the battery. It has a warranty right ?
Try the alternator. I had a problem similar on my 92 and it turned out to be the alt not charging properly.
One time I had a full charge on the battery (from a batt charger), car started fine, I drove it about a mile and all the accessories started failing and my volts reading on the dash dropped to 9. I limped back home and replaced the alt and the issue has never happened again.
Try the alternator. I had a problem similar on my 92 and it turned out to be the alt not charging properly.
One time I had a full charge on the battery (from a batt charger), car started fine, I drove it about a mile and all the accessories started failing and my volts reading on the dash dropped to 9. I limped back home and replaced the alt and the issue has never happened again.
Good luck
Thanks, I will try that if the battery tests out good. How hard is it to replace the alt myself? I have very little patience when it comes to working on cars .
Thanks, I will try that if the battery tests out good. How hard is it to replace the alt myself? I have very little patience when it comes to working on cars .
make sure you check the alternator plug , I had the same problem and it was only a broken plug.
changing alternator is an easy job, less than an hour
make sure you check the alternator plug , I had the same problem and it was only a broken plug.
changing alternator is an easy job, less than an hour
Okay, thanks. Now I just have to find a little bit of time to figure things out. Im going to take the battery to be tested tomorrow, then go from there.
I really appreciate the responses, hopefully I'll figure this out.
Just an update. I unhooked the battery, then hooked it right back up without removing it, as I was tightening the postitive side, the lights under the hood came on. I tried starting it up, everything died again with one turn of the key. I tightened down the positive side tighter than I ever have, lights came back on, it started right up.
Does anyone think I need new hook ups, or is it possible they just came loose? Ive had the car for 6 years and Ive never had this happen before.
I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. I feel like a dummy since all I had to do was tighten the battery down, but I did hand check them and they were still on tight enough to where I couldnt budge them. I am a little skeptical about taking it anywhere right now, but I guess it'll be okay. I'll make sure to bring a wrench with me. Im just glad it was a cheap easy fix, so far.
Just an update. I unhooked the battery, then hooked it right back up without removing it, as I was tightening the postitive side, the lights under the hood came on. I tried starting it up, everything died again with one turn of the key. I tightened down the positive side tighter than I ever have, lights came back on, it started right up.
Does anyone think I need new hook ups, or is it possible they just came loose? Ive had the car for 6 years and Ive never had this happen before.
I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. I feel like a dummy since all I had to do was tighten the battery down, but I did hand check them and they were still on tight enough to where I couldnt budge them. I am a little skeptical about taking it anywhere right now, but I guess it'll be okay. I'll make sure to bring a wrench with me. Im just glad it was a cheap easy fix, so far.
I had a similar problem with mine. The battery was not bolted down tight enough and caused enough vibration to loosen the battery connection. The weird thing was that when you played with the wires they seemed tight as anything, put the socket on and give a slight twist, connection was all good. Glad that you got her fixed. For a little piece of mind, put a wrench in the back of the car just in case it happens again.
I had a similar problem with mine. The battery was not bolted down tight enough and caused enough vibration to loosen the battery connection. The weird thing was that when you played with the wires they seemed tight as anything, put the socket on and give a slight twist, connection was all good. Glad that you got her fixed. For a little piece of mind, put a wrench in the back of the car just in case it happens again.
Good point, I carry one in my centre console and IIRC it's a 10mm.
My 87 once did it , come to find out, dropping your keys in saltwater isnt good. I dried them off on my shirt by wiping them dry. It refused to start or do anything until I took them and washed them off. All the lights came on, the starter turned and car started right up. Probably increased the resistance of my pellet. I was terrified, But since then not a similar problem.
This is one of the 3 or 4 dozen topics that seem to recur on here. Starting issues due to the key being bad or dirty..
I have an extra spare key at the home all the time, in case it happens again.
Thanks, I will try that if the battery tests out good. How hard is it to replace the alt myself? I have very little patience when it comes to working on cars .
It's gotta be easy if an idiot like me can do it.
1- disco the batt neg
2- remove/loosen belt
3- disco alt connector
4- remove/loosen alt bolts
5- remove/replace alt
6- do the reverse
I may have left something off but it's pretty much all common sense and right up top where it's easy to get to. Of allthe things I've doneon this car, the alt was about the easiest.
Good point, I carry one in my centre console and IIRC it's a 10mm.
I keep the basic tools, wrapped up in a towel and put under the storage bin behind the passenger seat, the storage in there, goes almost down to the passenger seat, lots of room actually for stuff.