Won't start - Not DBS
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 2
From: Peachtree City GA
Won't start - Not DBS
Lately my '05 will start normally for several days, then acts like a dead battery. I pulled the year-old battery and took it in - tested ok 3 times. Put it back in the car and it cranked right away. The first couple of times I had had the start problem, I just put a charger on it since I didn't have time to deal with the problem, and it started after some charging so I suspected the battery. The third time the charger didn't work so I pulled the battery when I had time to take it in.
Once I knew the battery was good, next time the problem occurred I paid more attention. When it gets into the no-start condition, the car appears to be in some mode it should not be from the previous shutdown. If the car is not going to start, once I push the start button the voltmeter is alive but shows about 11 volts, which is what the battery shows at the terminals in the no-start mode. That in itself should indicate a major draw which should kill the battery pretty quickly, but it doesn't.
I can hear relays clicking much like a low battery condition but the voltage into the system is not enough to crank the car. The battery is actually still charged enough to start the car because if I remove one cable and then reconnect it, the car will start immediately with no evidence of a weak battery.
Once it is back to starting properly and I watch the voltmeter as the car starts, the voltage goes to 11 volts for a few seconds, then gradually increases to the 14 or so charge volts. This increase is much slower than I would expect since the car rpm increases much faster. I suspect the voltage regulator, a relay, or the ecu is the culprit but I don't have much confidence in the mechanic at the dealership finding an intermittent problem like this. Any knowledgeable suggestions or previous experience with the problem?
John
Once I knew the battery was good, next time the problem occurred I paid more attention. When it gets into the no-start condition, the car appears to be in some mode it should not be from the previous shutdown. If the car is not going to start, once I push the start button the voltmeter is alive but shows about 11 volts, which is what the battery shows at the terminals in the no-start mode. That in itself should indicate a major draw which should kill the battery pretty quickly, but it doesn't.
I can hear relays clicking much like a low battery condition but the voltage into the system is not enough to crank the car. The battery is actually still charged enough to start the car because if I remove one cable and then reconnect it, the car will start immediately with no evidence of a weak battery.
Once it is back to starting properly and I watch the voltmeter as the car starts, the voltage goes to 11 volts for a few seconds, then gradually increases to the 14 or so charge volts. This increase is much slower than I would expect since the car rpm increases much faster. I suspect the voltage regulator, a relay, or the ecu is the culprit but I don't have much confidence in the mechanic at the dealership finding an intermittent problem like this. Any knowledgeable suggestions or previous experience with the problem?
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,759
Likes: 539
From: AZ
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
My guess is a failing battery, had this happen on another car and it finally failed with a shorted cell. I suspect you have a cell about to short completely.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
Check your primary connections, where the positive goes and where the negative ends up. Could be corrosion or loose there. Some one reported that the connections on the starter were loose or corroded..Good luck...
