Help my car is dead.

[SurfnSun]

Guys,

I started my car yesterday. It ran fine. I only ran it for a few minutes.

Today I went out and got in it and turned the key. Everything went black. I pulled the battery and took it to Autozone. They charged it.

Put in back in tonight. Still nothing.

 

[bstie]

When you say 'Nothing', does that mean no buzzer, dome light or anything? I was thinking that if you at least have some battery power, yet nothing when turning the key, try putting in neutral and starting. That would indicate a bad neutral safety switch at the transmission. However, if you flat out have nothing at all, sounds like a bad ground from the battery to the chasis.


Brian

 

[callaway4fun]

Maybe your VATS is acting up

 

[corvetterider84]

I'd have to say its either a bad ground like Brian said or a bad connection from the cable to the battery. Just my .02.

 

[SurfnSun]

Yea everything is dead. At first when I got in the lights were on, but then when I turned the key all went black.

Im still not convinced my battery is good.

Where is the ground to the chassis?

 

[caninelver]

My 88 has a ground wire on the neg battery side. It comes out of the round terminal end and goes to the area below the battery. I would think if it had been going bad you would have either had flickering dash lites or noise in the radio. The ground wire is much thinner than the main battery wire. Good luck.

 

[JonM]

I would also check the wire running into the solenoid. That is a hot spot next to the exhaust. That and seeing as your car is older with a combination of salt air in your area tends to make that wire to corrode. Just a hint

 

[SurfnSun]

My 88 has a ground wire on the neg battery side. It comes out of the round terminal end and goes to the area below the battery. I would think if it had been going bad you would have either had flickering dash lites or noise in the radio. The ground wire is much thinner than the main battery wire. Good luck.

Im going to check that out tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[SurfnSun]

Ok...back today. Lights were on again. Turned the key and all went black again. Pulled the battery and had it checked again. 100% charged.

The ground that comes off the neg battery cable to the frame is good.

I was told to check my fusible links behind the battery. There seems to only be a freaking ton of them I did however pull out the hot junction box right behind the battery. The top bolt was seized and broke free when I tried to unscrew it. Guess what? Its discontinued...Contemporary Corvette took care of me.

 

[Alfonso Gomez]

Been there, done that. In my case (87 Coupe) I jiggled the wires connected to the + terminal and the lights (dash, interior lights) went on. But when I tried starting it, everything went off. Not even a "click" from the starter. So I cheched the fusible links behind the battery and all were good but the terminals were dirty and corroded. I cleaned everything and tightened every connector and Voilá problem solved. There is a cable that runs from the + battery cable to the junction behind the battery, where the fusible links go. That cable has to be clean and tight or it will cause problems. Also, I had the cable running from the + terminal to the starter replaced and a thick ground wire running from the - terminal of the battery to the alternator hold-down bolt to ensure a proper ground. No problems of this kind since.

 

[jmccloud]

Had a boat. Same problem. Alfonso's procedure worked there too.
Both ends of both battery cables have to be clean and secure.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Battery Terminal

A few months ago Magmotor was over helping trouble shoot a overheating problem in my Vette.

Well when he went to leave he had the same problem. He might get one click from the starter selenoid, but then nothing. He thought it was the VATS, so we waited and tried again. Still nothing. We took the sid epanel off and got access to the battery terminal junction block behind the battery, took all the wires off cleaned them, put some antiseize (electrolitic anticorrosive) on the terminals, and reassembled. Fired up the first turn of the key. I don't think he has had a problem since .... this was almost a year ago thinking of it.

Its good to have friends. We are both "new" Vette owners, he has more technical knowlege of the Vette, and I have more mechanical ability. We make a good team though.

 

[onefast95vette]

Check your terminals, they may be corroded. I had the same problem with my '95 & had to replace them. Also, make sure you have a secure and clean ground line. Clean the battery leads off with a small wire brush and put a dab of silicone on them to make sure you get a good connection. If that doesn't work, you may have a wiring problem.

Dan

 

[Moonunit 451]

Did they "load test" your battery?

 

[onefast95vette]

Nice burnout, Moon, I'll bet I can still outrun you lol!

 

[SurfnSun]

Car is FIXED!!!

Turns out it was that little stud block behind the battery where the 12v and fuse links hook up. After I pulled it out, I took a short 8mm nut/bolt and connected them all. After 1/2 a roll of electrical tape to make sure that there was no exposed metal, I opened the door and lights were on! The car started right up.

 

[*89x2*]

Car is FIXED!!!

Turns out it was that little stud block behind the battery where the 12v and fuse links hook up. After I pulled it out, I took a short 8mm nut/bolt and connected them all. After 1/2 a roll of electrical tape to make sure that there was no exposed metal, I opened the door and lights were on! The car started right up.

Get out there and tear 'em up now Josh, You were probably in withdrawls

Glad she is fixed