85 Won't Start, then Does
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA, USA
85 Won't Start, then Does
I'm having a real bizarre problem with my 85. Sometimes when I go to start it, I turn the key and nothing. There's what seems like absolutely no power from the battery. Nothing works, no courtesy lights, not key dinger, no dash, no radio or headlights, nothing. The battery has a charge.
One time I got frustrated and rowed the gears (well it's an automatic) and all of a sudden everything lights up and the car will start. Other times I've just left the key turned on and for no reason everything just lights up and is fine in a couple minutes.
I'm totally baffled. Anybody have a clue what this might be? I'm thinking something to do with the security system? But reading up on that it seems all it does is disables the starter, I wouldn't think it would disable the entire electrical system.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Like I said, the car eventually is fine and this only happens once every couple weeks, but it's real disconcerting and I'm sure at some point it won't be all right. Thanks in advance for any advice.
One time I got frustrated and rowed the gears (well it's an automatic) and all of a sudden everything lights up and the car will start. Other times I've just left the key turned on and for no reason everything just lights up and is fine in a couple minutes.
I'm totally baffled. Anybody have a clue what this might be? I'm thinking something to do with the security system? But reading up on that it seems all it does is disables the starter, I wouldn't think it would disable the entire electrical system.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Like I said, the car eventually is fine and this only happens once every couple weeks, but it's real disconcerting and I'm sure at some point it won't be all right. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Classic poor battery cable connections. Remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, battery terminals and the bolts and replace the cables (neg last). You want your battery connections to be like your lover, bright and tight! 
