Heres the deal. Car hasent been starting right up lateley because of no power (there is no lights on the idiot cluster or radio when the key is turned to on). I have had to wiggle the positive cable and the relay clicks and then i have power and can start. On my drive home from school, the radio started turning off when I hit the brakes, or turn on the turn signals, or turn on the headlights. After getting home, I couldnt roll up the windows cause there was no power (this is after shutting off the motor). I took the cables off the terminals and cleaned the posts and cables with a brush and finally got power but after trying to start it, the car clicks and then the power goes off again and there is no clicking, idiot cluster lights dont come on, dome light is off etc...

If anyone can help, I appreciate it. I am still learning about my car so excuse me if I am not too knolwedgeable.

Summary:
1. Cant always get power.
2. If I do have power, when i try and start sometimes It will click and dash lights turn off and I loose power
3. I can get the car to start if I wiggle the positive cable but radio turns off when I hit the brakes/turn on headlights or turnsignals.

 

You might have a loose connection at the battery post, make sure it's tight. Get your battery/alternator checked. When you get your car started, just take it to Advance/AutoZone etc. , they can check it for you. Good luck!!

 

Bad ground? Can cause some odd problems

 

thanks guys maybe I need new posts and battery cables. Where would I look to check for the grounds?

 

Ok I dont think its the connection at the battery because I hooked it up to a battery tender/charger and the interior lights came on but the car still wouldnt start. It made a clicking noise, sometimes a fast repetative noise almost like a machine gun and the interior lights would flicker or turn off when I try and start it. Its like the starter doesnt want to turn and the power shorts out. Man these electrical problems suck

 

Get a battery terminal cleaner (less than $5) and clean the battery posts and battery wire clamps. The funny electrical behaviour comes from the starter solenoid trying to suck power away from the other loads. Don't get sidetracked by this.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...uestid=2045296

Hope the link works.

 

Got it fixed guys (for now ) I stripped some of the neg cable and re attached the terminal so there was more contact from the cable and it has started twice now with no problems thanks guys