[elkyD68]

I seem to have a strange electrical gremlin in my car. Tonight I stopped at McD's and when I got back in my car I turned the key and it started to turn over then died. The entire electrical system died, like my battery had suddenly died. I got out opened the hood and checked my battery cables and other important wires. Then I got in and tried it and nothing happened so I tried to turn the lights lights on. When I turned them off the dome light came on (my door was open) and the car started.

What the heck happened?

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Derek TC Member #1645
68 El Camino w/ 307
Don't worry. Those extra parts = less weight so you car will go faster!

 

[John_Muha]

There's a loose or dirty connection somewhere.
Check ground wires on the battery, cable ground on the block, and on the inner fender from the battery.
Check the postive wire to the regulator/alternator/horn relay.
Could be a bad fusible link connection but can't tell since it only happened once and cured itself. May want to keep a meter handy to take some measurements when it happens again. At least you can find out where there is power and where there isn't.

 

[mr_chevelle]

This happened to me a couple of months back, it ended up being the neg. cable on the battery was going bad.
car would not start at completly radom times, headlights would not work, starter wouldnt turn, i just about gave up and ordered a new harness. Ah the KISS principle i never remember until after i find the problem

Good luck. Scott

 

[Redrum]

I had a the same sympoms and traced it to corroded contacts at the horn relay. 600 grit sandpaper and 30 minutes cured it.

I found the problem with a simple test light. Waited until it was dead and found power at the lead to the horn relay and none at the fuse box.

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Redrum (or Mike)

68 Corvette - 383 CI, 427 HP, 700R4, 12.56 @ 108 MPH
69 SS Chevelle - 502 CI, 610 HP, 2004R, 1320 unknown
97 Z-28 - totally stock still under 12,000 miles

How does an attorney sleep?

First he lies on one side, then he lies on the other.

 

[elkyD68]

Thanks for the tips. I think i'll give those battery cables another look.