Welp car took a crap on me. Went out to head to work and I've got no power once I turn the ignition. Door open beeper will go till I try to start the car then it goes dead.

I believe I remember reading about other people having this issues and it's a neutral switch on the clutch pedal? I've got a ride coming to get me to work and I'll research when I get home. For now I'm simply bitching and moaning. The top is down and I have no power to put it up. I won't be home from work till after dark to find the manual crank for the top. Rain rolling into town would make the night perfect!!

 

With key to on do your wipers or turn signals work? If not does the radio or sideview mirrors work w/key to ACC position? Headlights work?

If headlights work but none of the other items then check the Main fuse in the engine fuse box. If that fuse is good then check the connection located about a foot below the fuse box between the engine and front harness involving the single Black wire that comes off of the engine fuse box. See that there is constant voltage on this wire.

If the headlights don't work then check the Black wire that connects to the engine fuse box to the side closest to the battery and see if the particular wire has constant voltage on it.

 

Just got home from work. It's a dead battery. I jumped the car and it started up just fine. BUT there is something going on with the charging system. OEM gauge shows 14 volts while it idles. I turn on the parking lights and no change, but I turn on the headlights and the volts instantly drop down to 12 volts for a second then bounce back to 14v.

I let the car idle for 20 min. or so and soon as I turn it off it's back to where it was. Only enough power for the door lights and beeper. It might be something simple as a loose and worn alternator belt. The belt has too much slack in it, but it's never squeeled like it needed attention. I've been driving it daily and haven't had any issues with the battery. Hell I drove it earlier today with no issue. Came back home and the car sat for several hours till I tried to got to work.

Unfortunately I left my multimeter with my father in his garage so I can't do any testing till tomorrow.

 

The following link is a good site to assist in unearthing certain electrical problems (focus on the voltage drop section). Besides a faulty battery, alternator, and or wiring you might have a voltage drain.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/charging_checks.htm

 

Thanks for the link Satch

I've used the12volt.com alot, but that's more for aftermarket sound systems and alarms

 

I would replace that battery or have it tested at least ... and for gosh darn sake ... Tighten up the alternator belt - Its a 14 and 12mm!!! If its been slipping not only have you possibly not been charging your battery consistantly - Your putting undo stress on the alternator bearing. . .

 

if it happens again check your positive terminal that connects to your battery. that happened to my car and when i pushed down on it i got power again.

 

Yep, check your terminals. Sounds like a loose battery terminal to me.

 

At first I was going to say your ignition switch but it seems that your questions already been answered. I had the issue of my first car not turning off when the ignition was turned back to off. After I replaced that everything was golden, found the internals on the switch were worn. If I were you I'd pull the alternator and get it tested or roll over to autozone and have them test it in car. Most of them have a quality tester that can diagnose it in car.

 

Yeah it was a pretty simple fix, just frustrating in that it made me late for work and left the top down on the car.

I took the battery to be tested and it was fine. I cleaned up the posts before putting it back in, made sure the everything was tightened down and it started right up. I tightened up the belt, but I'll be replacing all the belts seeing how they are all changed at the same time and probably all of them are on their way to problems.