2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

so im driving along and my whole car dies..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2004 | 11:28 PM
  #1  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
so im driving along and my whole car dies..

yea, well i was out doing some back road driving just for fun and all of a sudden she just dies. im like OH **** cause everything went off all the lights etc and the cars just sitting there in pitch black in the middle of the road. so i quick hop out pop the hood and try to find a needle in a haystack in the dark with my little maglight. so i jiggle the battry cables and i see sparks go around the battery cables but the lights came back on so i hoped in quick and hauled *** home. any ideas on what the hell happend? bad battery cables maybe?
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2004 | 11:32 PM
  #2  
J-Rat's Avatar
Alcohol Fueled!
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,093
Likes: 2
From: Hood River oregon
hmm.. the battery shouldnt do that alone, but maybe you lost your ground.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2004 | 11:34 PM
  #3  
AusTexRex's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
did you lose all power to your pedal? Like suddenly gassing it did nothing and you came to a stop?
Does the car make clicking noises when you turn the key? Does it make any noises at all? It could have simply been a vacuum hose bursting or falling off.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2004 | 11:44 PM
  #4  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
it did click when i tried to turn it over the first time i had to get out and jiggle teh battery cable some more and the second time i jiggled the cable it desided to turn over. it just died while i was driving..i went to make a right turn...slowed down then it stalled out and died.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2004 | 11:49 PM
  #5  
YakATK's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Driver's Seat
What kind of shape are your terminals in? If they look a little beat up and old and shitty then maybe that caused it. Not totally sure though, check your battery cables for any wear on them.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:00 AM
  #6  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
the battery cables are alittle worn. where can i pickup a set mazdatrix?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:03 AM
  #7  
kiker14's Avatar
finally back in an RX-7!!
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Originally posted by YakATK
What kind of shape are your terminals in? If they look a little beat up and old and shitty then maybe that caused it. Not totally sure though, check your battery cables for any wear on them.
Definitely good advice, I had the same thing happen with the sudden loss of power, just had to clean off the terminals of the battery by scratching them up with an old screwdriver (I'm assuming that a wire brush would be the optimal choice of tools, but i'm a college kid, i work with what i have...)
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:12 AM
  #8  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
geuss ill have to try cleaning them off tomorrow the one looks kinda bent up and the wire look sorta stripped..we'll see. its not that big of a deal it seems like it'll be an easy fix.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:15 AM
  #9  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
but i have to say the more i think about it if there cheap enuff (anyone know how much a set of brand new cables run?) id really like to just replace them just so i have some peace of mind. i really dont like the idea of this happening when im pulling out in front of a 18wheeler or something. id rather do it the right way the first time.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:16 AM
  #10  
AusTexRex's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
If you're in a jam on the side of the road and don't have tools/time, pouring small amounts of a carbonated drink on the terminals will clean them off pretty well. Of course you need to dry them off too.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:19 AM
  #11  
Tofuball's Avatar
Jesus is the Messiah
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,848
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD
Most autoparts stores also sell some neat little felt washers that are soaked in something or other. Those keep the battery posts from accumulating that crust over the years. For 75 cents, go for that while you're at it
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 12:47 AM
  #12  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
thanks for all the suggestions
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 01:08 AM
  #13  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
http://mazdatrix.com/N-5.HTM why do the cables only go up to 85? did i miss something...
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 11:33 AM
  #14  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
up
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2004 | 10:57 PM
  #15  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
bounce
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 02:47 AM
  #16  
Russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA
/\ /\ /\
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 10:34 AM
  #17  
Tofuball's Avatar
Jesus is the Messiah
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,848
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD
Dude, any autoparts store will have what you need.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fastrx7man
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
33
Sep 2, 2015 09:42 PM
ashleymiche
Introduce yourself
0
Aug 14, 2015 12:59 PM
Marty RE
New Member RX-7 Technical
0
Aug 13, 2015 11:19 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:26 AM.