Hi all,

My '88 turbo vert is driving me nuts. Latest issue:

Car does not turn over. When I turn the key to the first "click" - clock comes on. Reads 5:XX. Turn key further and lose all power. Nada. no lights, no starter, nothing. Turn key again, nothing -- as if there were no battery in the car.

Get out, disconnect and reconnect battery terminals - bac k to square one with clock on, then nothing.

This is the latest and most frustrating in a long string of electrical issues:

- Radio goes off and voltage drops when brake is depressed.
- Voltage drops when headlights or turn signals on
- Voltage drops at idle and increases when the throttle is pressed
- Battery has been replaced twice in last six months

A few days ago, the car died in a parking lot. I got somebody to give me a jump. No go, starter wouldn't turn over. This was the beginning of the saga.

Later, when I tried to jump it again, the idiot lights came on, but as soon as I tried to crank the motor, everything died again. Disconnected battery and hooked jumper cables directly to terminals. Same thing. Then, connected terminals back to battery and the car started right up. I was able to drive it home, and it started the next day. Once.

Now, I'm back to where I started.

ANY Ideas?

Thanks!

 

when you turn the key to start and everything goes dead that is pretty much a sure sign of bad batter terminals. Take them apart, clean them up and go from there.

You voltage drops can be due to the bad batter terminals, over all bad grounds, or could be a sign your alternator is on the way out. Start with the battery terminals as I said above, and follow this, http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/grounding.htm, for the rest of the main grounds. If you still have issues after this, look into a new alternator.

 

Thanks very much.

I removed and cleaned the battery terminals, stiil no go.

I still get the door light and the clock, but any attempt to turn on anything else kills both.

I guess I will have to figure out how to check the grounds, or find a mechanic to do so.

- Paul