Strange thing happened

[GT2000]

Went out to start the car today and as I turned the key to start I heard everything beep to life when I hit the "acc" and "on" locations, then I hit start and everything went out. It wouldn't even turn over or make any attempt or click either.

So I hooked the jumper box up to it and it sprang right to life. And has started many times today after that. It shouldn't be the battery because it is nearly brand new, and there were no fuses blown. I carry a jumper box with me, but still don't want it happening again. Anybody have any idea what would have caused that?

[tgussie666]

Look at your cables......make sure they are not corroded. If they are, clean them, and see if the GA will spring back to life. Also if that doesn't work, take the car and have it tested free @ autozone, or any parts place that will test the battery, and alternator for free..........

[RocketFast321]

Yeah look at your terminals. That happen to me about five times, then i move my amp wire to the top post since it was making my side post positive terminal corrode.

[GT2000]

First thing I did when it wouldn't start was checking the terminals and fuses. No blown fuses and terminals are clean. Tested the battery and it was fine, and if it was the alternator then it would have died later too wouldn't it? Because the battery wouldn't have been kept charged throughout the day while I was driving.

[rixGAphx]

You're prolly right on the alternator.

Which is why we're saying 'Batt cables'.

Don't just visually check them.
Remove them, cut off the molded rubber boots, and make sure there's no internal corrosion.
Water gets in there and slowly, unseen, corrodes the metals. Mine did this.
Everything should be tight and shiny brite. Install an aftermarket red rubber boot to protect the POS terminal.

Not to say we don't trust you personally, it's just that these damned terminals cause SO much trouble (as you describe) that we don't trust ANYBODY. :D :D

Good luck.
-Rick

PS: Check the other end of the POS cable, where it attaches to the starter terminal.
If there's a slight oil leak above, it can drip onto this terminal and build-up over time.
Oil is a terrific electrical insulator and it can prevent good contact at this terminal.

[GT2000]

Already have removed the boots and there already is an aftermarket rubber one on it =P. Everything is bright and shiny. Didn't check the end on the starter though, will do that sometime tonite.

[rixGAphx]

OK, glad those terminals pas my tough requirements. :roll2: :D

The only actual symptom you've had is:
Turned the key to 'start' and everything went dead.

Then, you jumped the batt ans all's been well since.

Did you do anything BETWEEN these two actions?
Specifically, after it went 'dead', I'm sure you removed the key.
Did you then try re-starting several more times, and was everything in the cabin (lights, gaes, buzzers, etc.) also dead during these atttempts?

What I'm thinking is this:
When you turn the ignition to 'start', three things happen:
1. Ignition, computer, fuel pump, and all other engine-run systems are turned 'on'.
2. A small switch in the ignition sends a small amount of power to the solenoid, telling it to 'engage', whereupon it thrusts the gear into the flywheel AND connects the high-amperage current from the POS terminal to the starter motor windings.
3. ALL other electrical systems (with possible exception of DLR's) are shut-down, to provide maximum power to the starter motor.

So in the case of your symptom, if the solenoid hung-up during its 'throw', you would have 1) ignition and fuel, but you wouldn't know it; 2) no engagement of solenoid/starter, not even a 'click'; and, 3) no juice to anything else while the key was in that position.
Solenoids do go bad, though not a common problem nowadays.
[One temporary 'cure' is to touch the solenoid with a wooden dowel (like a cut-off broomstick) and Smack! that broomstick end with a mallet. The shock releases whatever is hanging-up the solenoid but doesn't damage solenoid.

If indeed it was a hung-up solenoid, it may never happen again, might happen again tonight or next week.
If it happens again within a month or so, have a hammer and broomstick handy to try my 'cure'.
If that works, that pretty much confirms a solenoid on its way out. Best bet for reliability would to get a replacement, pronto.

Or, it might have been a weird Delco-Fullmoon coincidence that will never occur again. :eek:

Good luck.
-Rick

[GT2000]

Tried starting, it dinged and the cabin lights came on for a minute while the door was still open, then went to start it and there was no power to anything, or at least anything visible. And no turn over or 'click'.

After that we put it in neutral and pushed it so that my mom could go to work. When we got it back where it belonged we hooked the jumper up.

I thought that we jumped it but apparently did not. We hooked the jumper up but now my dad said that he never even turned the box on, when I went back and put the key in everything came back on and started right up.