Losing all power (temporarily)when I turn the key?
#1
Losing all power (temporarily)when I turn the key?
Anyone know what's going on here? I have power to all the accessories (headlight, dome light etc etc) and everything's straight for all the clicks/turns of the key, until the final one to crank it. Once I do that, I lose ALL power to EVERYTHING for a minute or two...then power comes back. There was an alarm installed a few days ago (just for keyless entry), but I don't know if that has anything to do w/ it. Ignition kill doesn't kill power, it just doesn't let you crank. I'm talkin about the entire dash, headlights, dome light, etc all go dark 100% (complete loss of power) once I try to crank, then if I leave it for a min or two, it'll all come back. Then if I try cranking again, the same thing will happen: the power is gone.
Anyone got any guesses as to what's causing the problem?
Anyone got any guesses as to what's causing the problem?
Last edited by FDNewbie; 12-12-04 at 12:19 AM.
#3
Originally Posted by areXseven
I think the alarm tech was on the pipe when he did the install. OR,..possibly a loose battery cable???
Oh and it's not a loose battery cable. Checked 'em, they're firmly on. Checked the main fuse (120), looks just fine. Also keep in mind the power comes back and STAYS on, until/unless I try to crank.
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I've had this happen recently, for a few days it was doing it, but hasn't for maybe a week. I checked my cables which seemed okay, so we'll see. I have not had a car alarm installed on it at any time, although I did wire up my boost controller, so possibly something there. Sorry this isn't a whole lot of help, but you're not the only one. Josh
#5
Josh, I appreciate it man. My car usually goes on nice long reliable streaks, then gives me a really weird problem that leaves me wondering, "man...am I the ONLY one who has this happen to them?" lol. Lets keep the thread updated, and see who can figure it out first.
The weird part is I thought that since I was getting power BACK, it might be some kind of temp kill switch from the alarm, but you're saying you don't have an alarm. That, and if it WAS the alarm, I'd expect to be able to arm/disarm during that time (ie the alarm should have power to it), but it doesn't. Hmm..
The weird part is I thought that since I was getting power BACK, it might be some kind of temp kill switch from the alarm, but you're saying you don't have an alarm. That, and if it WAS the alarm, I'd expect to be able to arm/disarm during that time (ie the alarm should have power to it), but it doesn't. Hmm..
Last edited by FDNewbie; 12-12-04 at 12:55 AM.
#7
Originally Posted by skunks
try putting more grounding straps on to your battery (the neg terminal) and/or check both connections
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#8
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I can't think of anything that would be remotely connected with the power delay you're experiencing. It could be an electrical short in the ignition switch or a loose cable/connection. May be a weak Battery?
#9
Originally Posted by areXseven
I can't think of anything that would be remotely connected with the power delay you're experiencing. It could be an electrical short in the ignition switch or a loose cable/connection. May be a weak Battery?
The only thing that's still got me wondering is how can a short give you a DELAY, vs. a permanent/persistant loss of power?
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^ If you have access to another (healthy) Battery, give it a try. Start ruling-out possibilities.
Last edited by areXseven; 12-12-04 at 01:09 AM.
#12
Jump starting your car by using another car is never a good thing . The power surge it does to your car might be deadly . Thats why there are jumpstart battery pack just for that use . The ones with fuses are the best .
FDNewbie , Your problem might be cause by a weak battery . Try checking the battery's charge with a multi-meter . Cause as you crank the engine , most of the battery's power has to to the the starter motor . The start motor is a high amp drawing device . That is why when you crank , you lose power to most of your other electronic devices . Or you can just start your car first before switching any items ie;headlight , radio .
FDNewbie , Your problem might be cause by a weak battery . Try checking the battery's charge with a multi-meter . Cause as you crank the engine , most of the battery's power has to to the the starter motor . The start motor is a high amp drawing device . That is why when you crank , you lose power to most of your other electronic devices . Or you can just start your car first before switching any items ie;headlight , radio .
#13
I'm a CF and poop smith
if one of your eletrical problems are not working, then it might be a short or fuse problem but if they all go out at the same time, i would think its a neg side of the battery problem (at least that was my problem). make sure your grounds (and the actual terminal connections) are good. i used a 2/0 node gauge wire to ground the battery straight to the chassie and it solved my problems (i had the same exact problems like you and it confused the hell out of me for a few weeks).
#14
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I had a similar problem. Everything would light up, etc, but as soon as I'd try to crank all goes dead. Letting go of the key, it all came back on.
Turns out that the positive battery connector split apart on the metal that wraps around the battery terminal, so the connection was kind of lose. Did a quick fix by pinching it with a pair of pliers so it fit snugly, even without the abilitty to tighten it down with the screw, and the car started right up.
Turns out that the positive battery connector split apart on the metal that wraps around the battery terminal, so the connection was kind of lose. Did a quick fix by pinching it with a pair of pliers so it fit snugly, even without the abilitty to tighten it down with the screw, and the car started right up.
#15
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Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Electrical short in the ignition switch sounds like a good possibility... A weak battery, nope. My battery was weak/low a few days ago, but we actually left a Diehard Battery Charger (that doesn't overcharge) on the battery to bring it back to full charge a day or two ago, so it should be solid.
The only thing that's still got me wondering is how can a short give you a DELAY, vs. a permanent/persistant loss of power?
The only thing that's still got me wondering is how can a short give you a DELAY, vs. a permanent/persistant loss of power?
#16
Originally Posted by SomeGuy_sg
Jump starting your car by using another car is never a good thing . The power surge it does to your car might be deadly . Thats why there are jumpstart battery pack just for that use . The ones with fuses are the best .
FDNewbie , Your problem might be cause by a weak battery . Try checking the battery's charge with a multi-meter . Cause as you crank the engine , most of the battery's power has to to the the starter motor . The start motor is a high amp drawing device . That is why when you crank , you lose power to most of your other electronic devices . Or you can just start your car first before switching any items ie;headlight , radio .
Originally Posted by Ibumar
I had a similar problem. Everything would light up, etc, but as soon as I'd try to crank all goes dead. Letting go of the key, it all came back on.
Turns out that the positive battery connector split apart on the metal that wraps around the battery terminal, so the connection was kind of lose. Did a quick fix by pinching it with a pair of pliers so it fit snugly, even without the abilitty to tighten it down with the screw, and the car started right up.
Turns out that the positive battery connector split apart on the metal that wraps around the battery terminal, so the connection was kind of lose. Did a quick fix by pinching it with a pair of pliers so it fit snugly, even without the abilitty to tighten it down with the screw, and the car started right up.
I did check the battery connections last night, and they were on TIGHT. But I'll take 'em off, inspect 'em, and tighten 'em on while I'm at it. Can't hurt
Thanks guys...I'll let ya know how it turns out tomarrow morning.
#17
Go figure...it was a bad battery terminal. It seemed very tight 2 nights ago when I had the problem, but apparently it wasn't as tight as I thought?. That, and there was some corrosion around it. What threw me off was the delay in getting power back. I still don't understand the reason for the delay, but hey, who cares. I'm just glad my car's up and running again. Thanks guys
#18
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Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Go figure...it was a bad battery terminal. It seemed very tight 2 nights ago when I had the problem, but apparently it wasn't as tight as I thought?. That, and there was some corrosion around it. What threw me off was the delay in getting power back. I still don't understand the reason for the delay, but hey, who cares. I'm just glad my car's up and running again. Thanks guys
I'm glad you figured the problem out. Seems like the terminals are prone to going bad. I'm glad another FD problem has a happy ending.
#19
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I've had this same problem a few times and it's always the negative battery terminal. Think I'm going to invest in a battery relocation kit and new battery as one of my winter projects.
#20
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Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Go figure...it was a bad battery terminal. It seemed very tight 2 nights ago when I had the problem, but apparently it wasn't as tight as I thought?. That, and there was some corrosion around it. What threw me off was the delay in getting power back. I still don't understand the reason for the delay, but hey, who cares. I'm just glad my car's up and running again. Thanks guys
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