Ground points

[dmcerik]

I've had this happen just a handful of times now. I try to start the car and it's completely dead. Like there's no battery. I had this happen yesterday right after I got done driving. I parked and shut the car off to take a phone call. I got out of the car, left the door open, walked for about a minute or two, then got back in the car. Closed the door, tried to start it and nothing. What I've found is if I go and open the passenger door, then close it, I can then start the car.

Is there a ground point I should be looking at on that side of the car?

[Bitsyncmaster]

When you shut the door it vibrates the bad connection. My bet is the feed through bolts at the back of the relay compartment are not tight.

[dmcerik]

When you shut the door it vibrates the bad connection. My bet is the feed through bolts at the back of the relay compartment are not tight.

Do you have a photo of this?

[Jonathan]

Or something in the connections on the ignition switch isn't tight...

[Ron]

Yeah, it could be at the main relay or ?? too. Sounds like a shake test while someone holds the key down is in order...


Do you have a photo of this?
Check out pic HERE (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1360-Ground-Bus&p=16110&viewfull=1#post16110).

[Josh]

I would start in the fuse/relay compartment and check to see the connections on the main relays are tight. Also the connections on the ignition switch. Would also be a good idea to check the engine to frame and battery to frame ground cables. something is loose.

When the car fails to start are other electrical components not working? like the radio, fan, dash lights, etc. Or is everything normal but the starter is not engaging.

[DMCMW Dave]

Do you have a photo of this?

Not handy but the to get to the inside of the connection you remove the vertical carpeted panel. The outside is under the coil cover. Same for the battery HOT connection, you need to get to both sides to properly tighten it.

[dmcerik]

When the car fails to start are other electrical components not working? like the radio, fan, dash lights, etc. Or is everything normal but the starter is not engaging.

No, the car is completely dead. Exactly how it would behave if the battery was not in the car. So far it hasn't happened again, and I've put on over 100 miles along some bumpy roads. I've opened the doors many times. I can't get it to happen again. But i'm sure it will.

[Josh]

No, the car is completely dead. Exactly how it would behave if the battery was not in the car. So far it hasn't happened again, and I've put on over 100 miles along some bumpy roads. I've opened the doors many times. I can't get it to happen again. But i'm sure it will.

I would check the ground wire from your battery to the frame, the engine to the frame, and the frame to the body. they are all roughly in the same area of the car (passenger side rear). I'm almost certain at least one of these bolts are loose.

[dmcerik]

Not handy but the to get to the inside of the connection you remove the vertical carpeted panel. The outside is under the coil cover. Same for the battery HOT connection, you need to get to both sides to properly tighten it.

I just checked on these and everything is very tight. In fact all the connections I've been looking at so far are very light and secure. And the crimp on the connections are tight too.

One thing that I do remember when it happened last was that the car did try to engage the starter, but not even a full turn. Probably not even a second of turn. Just a loud click at the starter and then the entire car was dead. Again, opening the passenger door then closing it fixed it.

While I was under the car just now all the connections to the starter looked good.

[Josh]

I just checked on these and everything is very tight. In fact all the connections I've been looking at so far are very light and secure. And the crimp on the connections are tight too.

One thing that I do remember when it happened last was that the car did try to engage the starter, but not even a full turn. Probably not even a second of turn. Just a loud click at the starter and then the entire car was dead. Again, opening the passenger door then closing it fixed it.

While I was under the car just now all the connections to the starter looked good.

There should be a ground strap from the frame to the engine, make sure this is in good shape and connected tight. Usually bolted across the motor mount.

[FABombjoy]

If all relevant heavy gauge cables are good, and you see 12v at the starter solenoid with key in start position, opening & closing the passenger door could be just enough localized "percussive maintenance" to encourage a spotty starter to work.

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth"