joryramosn

Hello All,

This morning I got into my car, everything seemed normal, tried to crank and all the dash lights went black. I turned the key to the (I) position, tried to crank again and nothing. Lights off. I was about to leave the car but I tried to crank a third time. It worked.

More Info: I have replaced the starter about this time last year. The alternator is new and was replaced last year as well. The battery passed all operating tests this past December but is now 2.5 years old. I just ordered a new one on Advance AP and will take the car there after work so they can test my battery (if the car starts again!)

Some other oddities: Car is asking for radio code as if I had disconnected the battery for a period of time but the rest of info like trips A and B and drive time, average km/h etc. is still saved.

Anyone else experienced something similar when battery was dying out?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Jory, have you actually looked at the battery?

sometimes, the cables can come loose.
or sometimes corrosion can get in the way of metal on metal contact.

it could be as simple as that.
then, your next step would be to measure the volts from the battery when the car is off.
it should be 12 volts.

P.s. did you like that rain this morning? I'm glad my morning commute wasnt flooded.

joryramosn

Justnspace,

I didn't even open the hood, I know I should have but I was about to run late. I will check the connections later today thanks for the suggestion. I'm glad I didn't hit much rain this morning just some drizzle. Yesterday was pouring pretty bad though. I live less than 5 miles from work so my daily commute doesn't involve highways.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

my commute is through the south west, where it easily gets flooded.

back on topic, yes, simply check the battery connections.
living in Houston, I've found that batteries usually tend to last about 2 years to 3 years.
so, if not corroded or loose, it may be time to buy a new one

Jackass

As already stated....sounds like a loose battery cable or connection somewhere along that line. Mine was doing similar things and found my positive terminal loose and corroded.

joryramosn

I remember now from when I checked the battery this past December I saw the (+) terminal was starting to show some corrosion. I did not see if the cable was starting to show corrosion as well, but this might be the case, I cleaned the terminals that time and the battery posts with a wire brush, applied some corrosion protectant CRC spray and called it a day since I had no issues until now.

I'm starting to lean towards corrosion on the cable. I will update later...

joryramosn

Ok, opened the hood... I'm at work now and can't really look more into it, but I'm seeing the positive cable clamp has badly corroded and seems to be just holding to the post by a very thin portion of copper. This is not the condition it was in 6 months ago. The cable from the exterior seemed ok, but later I will see if it has corroded on the inside.

So I will replace the clamp today with just a universal clamp and I'll either order the positive cable replacement (32410-SEP-A00) or make my own positive cable like they discuss in this post: https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/anyone-know-positive-battery-cable-wire-gauge-902902/

Some pics for your enjoyment...

keep in mind the 'red stuff' is actually battery terminal protectant... or was.







battery post is super clean an shiny at least

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

oh wow!

Jackass

Mine was way worse, but I had a crack in my battery on the back side of the positive post which caused it to continue to corrode until it finally broke. If you clean and treat it and it keeps corroding, you probably have a leak in the battery.