Weird possible battery issue. Help please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 82
From: NYC
Weird possible battery issue. Help please
What’s up guys. I have a 2002 C5. Bought a new AGM battery at Sam’s club in April. The car is kept on a Schumacher battery charger made to charge Agm batteries. Once in a while I’ll turn the key to accessorie and everything lights up. Guages sweep as normal. Then I turn the key and get one click. If I try immediately to start it again. It starts right up. Today when it happened I checked the volts on the DIC. Don’t have a multimeter. It said 11.5 volts ? And that’s being kept on the charger. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
As you are, I am sorting out my new start issue. The new battery did not fix. Two other keys did not fix. Then remembering a previous post suggestion, I wiggled the connection between the drivers door and the car and it started. I have no idea why. Maybe the electrical CF gurus can explain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 575
From: FLORIDA
I had a similar issue. I replaced the side terminal bolts. After the car didn't start a couple of times. I discovered the new bolts were just a little longer than the stock bolts. So the cables were snug to the terminals but not completely tight. I added a washer and problem solved. Not saying this is your issue but I would check to see if the cables are tight to the side terminals. Good Luck with finding the issue!
Last edited by Trickskier; Dec 22, 2023 at 06:57 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
As you are, I am sorting out my new start issue. The new battery did not fix. Two other keys did not fix. Then remembering a previous post suggestion, I wiggled the connection between the drivers door and the car and it started. I have no idea why. Maybe the electrical CF gurus can explain.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 82
From: NYC
Yeh I don’t think my issue is in the door accordion wire loom. Like I said closed door. One click no start. Try immediately again without opening door or any thing else. And it starts right up. I think it could be the positive battery terminal bolt. Seems to get nice and snug and tight then if I try to tighten it a little more. Swings around and gets loose again. I have a new bolt a forum member was nice enough to give me. But it’s been too cold to swap it out. Even in the garage. Thx for your advice my brothers. Keep it coming.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 39
Likes: 16
I pulled my hair out with the same type of issue...gauges would bounce around, occasional no start, shut off without warning, etc. No joy cleaning grounds, replacing battery, etc. Turns out it was the contacts in the ignition switch and following the cleaning procedure mentioned in a thread here my trouble was solved. Good luck.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
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From: Espanola New Mexico
To the OP, after you have ensured that the battery cables are nice and tight and it continues to start after one click I would then check the cables at the starter solenoid. The one click and then starts is also fairly common sign that the starter solenoid is starting to fail.