complete loss of power when turning key to crank
 

ok so i searched the faq, and some threads couldnt really find what i was looking for... Anyway i have a 88 vert and i just started having this problem yesterday. Got it to turn over after an hour of swaping batteries cleaning terminals, but when i go to crank the motor over idiot lights dome lights everything cuts off, and if i leave the key in the start position the idiot lights and dome light come back on dim. Has anyone had this problem before?

i recently replaced the starter a few months ago, then kind of the same problem in the previous post i would have when trying to crank the motor, but the idiot lights/ dome lights wouldnt cut off the car would just click. After a few attempts the motor would crank and i'd be on my way.

Sounds like you got a bad electrical connection.
The Starter is trying to suck juice to turn but it can't.
Check the Connection AT the starter.Both of them.Negative from the harness(long starter bolt),and the Positive.

+1 for connections if you've already checked the battery. Did you also replace the solenoid with the starter?

Make sure you can't pull the lugs off the posts. If theyre that loose then that will happen often. Check the ground under the coil pack after checking the starter connection too. Hopefully it's not the one under the intake manifold...

When you replaced the starter did you reconnect the battery ground to the long starter bolt?

ya im pretty sure i made every thing tight when i put the starter on, ill have to check it later today

Recheck your battery posts , when everything cuts out quickly check battery for power with a meter I guessing that your posts aren't as clean and tight as you think or the battery is screwed inside ( possibly broken connection inside battery ) between posts and cells ..

Check all grounds. And all connections.

...

My fathers Corolla did the same thing, but also when driving, all power went out, didn't come back till I hit the battery connector with my snow brush.

Removed the problem my cleaning the poles and connectors with a wire brush and bolting it properly into place.

The wire that comes off the back of the engine fuse box that goes to the Main fuse runs to the ignition switch and there is an intermediate connector located about a foot below this fuse box. The connector is Black and it mates two like wires. If this connection is loose or faulty it could cause symptoms like yours.