Sigh, when it rains, it pours. This problem has been going on for a week already, and I'm not sure what it is. I was driving on the freeway, and all of a sudden, the battery light came on. Hoping for the best, I just drove all the way home. Made it home safe. I guess that eliminates any alternator problems.

The next day, car wouldn't start. It wouldn't turn over, no power at all, no dome lights. I jump started the car, and brought the car to pep boys to have the battery tested, since the battery was just a week old. Everything checked out fine, alternator was charging, battery was fully charged. So now, I'm guessing I probably have a drain somewhere.

So I left the car alone overnight. The next morning, I started the car, expecting the battery to be fully dead. To my surprise, it started. So now I'm not sure if something is draining the battery. Didn't have any problems for two-three days.

Beginning this week, it started again. I was already guessing it was probably the connectors that were dirty or something, so I wiggled the negative terminal a little, and then the car started. Last night heading from work and this morning, the car wouldn't start again. The wiggle trick didn't work this time. I tried cleaning the battery connectors with baking soda and water. Not sure if I cleaned it well, but either way, no dice, car wouldn't start. So I was about to jumpstart the car. Cables were already connected to the battery, just needed to connect it to the host. I accidentally shorted the jumper cables by touching the red clip to the black clip. Lo and behold, I notice my dome and door lights came on. I started the car, and it worked.

So what do you guys think? Dirty connectors? Bad battery? New connectors? Where do I get new connectors and how do I remove/put them on?

Cliffs: Battery light on during driving, car didn't die, not alternator. Next day, car wouldn't start, no power at all. Jumpstart, alternator and battery tested ok. Problem happens again, shorting jumper cables power up car. Haha, hope that made sense.

Edit: Forgot to add, I'm using an Optima Blue top.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Could be an intermittant internal short in the battery. Next time its dead, check the posts with a multimeter to determine if there is any voltage showing at all.

______________________________
If a sentence found online has 35% misspellings or greater and includes at least two racially charged expletives, chances are it is a YouTube comment.

'95 Eclipse TurboGS (garage deco)
'95 TSi AWD (restoring a survivor)
'97 Talon ESi-T (poor impulse control)
'99 Eclipse RS-T (daily beater)
'13 Evo X (mostly stock)
'17 Sienna (Middle Aged Dad Mobile)



Factory Service Manuals: http://nawdu.de/files/

So what should I be expecting when I test it out with a multimeter next time the battery's dead?

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

DSM= Doesn't Start Monthly

Change out your terminals and check the ground. From your description, I'm fairly sure this is your problem. Battery cable terminals cost a few bucks (just bought some from Advanced Auto) and relatively simple to put on. My guess is that your bolt is not tightening down on the terminal quite enough. Also, follow the negative wire down to it's ground. Disconnect, clean up and reconnect. If you see any breakage of wire, put a new one on.

MB

Captain Caveman

96 RS Turbo 11.414 @ 119.62 MSNS, Crower 2 NA cams, BW366, 10.5 comp, UDP, 60mm TB, W/A intercooler, 3.55 tranny 567.9whp 430tq
97 RS NA 13.188 @ 103.87 MSnS powered 12.5 comp, Crower 3's and 219.4whp with 175tq
98 RS DD 12.5 comp on stock ECU, LTH, Crower 2's, Koni, GC, Hypercoil, DG hats
99 OZ 5sp Stocker 15.856 @ 85.97
99 GS stocker auto 17.7@77mph!

wiki home page:http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=bullettdsm

Thanks, I'll try that out.

Hehe, I know its relatively simple, but how do you change the terminals? Do you just pull it out?

Edit: Ok, so do you just change the terminals, or the whole battery cable? Tried searching on advance auto, all I found were battery cables. Is that what I should be looking for?

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

I'm assuming the connectors are bolted on tight to the posts? My battery light kept popping on for awhile and I couldn't figure out what it was until one day I noticed the positive cable to the battery was loose on the post. Tightened it up, and haven't had a problem since.

I kept on thinking it was something severe. Then it turned out to be something that simple...made me feel stupid heh.




http://www.dsmregistry.com/detail.php?carid=1185

Yup, battery connectors are tightened on the posts.

So just now, on the way to work, car won't start again. Did the short circuit trick, car started. On the way to work, battery light comes on. Made it all the way to work (half hour drive), turn off the car. As soon as I turn the car off and I try to restart, all power is again gone.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

You might check out the fuses to see if the connections are varnished or something like that. My GF's mom's Monte Carlo was acting funny electrically and the only thing I could find was sketchy were a couple of fuses that were sort of bronzed-looking on the contacts. Replaced them with new fuses and it's good as new. (HG is gone, but lights work right.)

Good luck.

Hehe, so uh, do you mean to say check all the fuses? Or is there a fuse directly related to the battery/starter/whatever?

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Just did, well that is,looked at all the fuses in the fuse box. Nothing weird looking, like corrosion etc.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Its cool Driggs.

Well, you wouldn't happen to know how to change the connectors or the batt cable would you?

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Thanks! I'll drop by Autozone and see what I can pick up. I think I'll be replacing the whole negative cable, not just the connector. Looks like I see corrosion in the wires already.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Forgot to add, so does anyone know why when I short the battery when I short the jumper cables, all power is regained and the car actually starts? Hehe, I hope this isn't too bad. I'm still at work and I guess that's the only way I can get the car to start.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Haha, gaddamit, where are all the resident experts???!!! Get in here!!!

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

I'll email azdave and ask him if he could take a look and offer any input, SupaYam.

1) A blue top optima is for a boat. You're supposed to have a Red top or Yellow if you have 1000lbs of stereo equipment in the car. Go down to the marina and sell it then get the right battery for your application.

2) Check for sticking starter relay. The relays are mostly interchangable, so swap a different one into the starter position.

3) Check alternator ground and hot wire. The alternator cables have been a problem on a couple of my DSMs when they aren't tight enough, arc, and melt down.

4) As mentioned, check the starter but this is unlikely because you said no other lights come on, and no fuses are blowing.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Haha.

You have a boat battery in your car. Autozone. Duralast Gold > *. Three years free replacement = one time purchase.

Originally posted by DR1665
I'll email azdave and ask him if he could take a look and offer any input, SupaYam.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Mikey what is up? if you're in the area swing by I'll take a look at it. I'm like a pro with the multimeter now

2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild...
Daily: Volt
Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO

Oh shit, sure, where you at again Erik? We'll see if chamy shows up tomorrow. If not, I guess I'm gonna head out to your place.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Not sure what more I can add here other than it appears to be a poor connection for sure. Arcing the battery posts is a pretty strong upset to the system but I can't quite explain why it results in a successful start.


When it comes down to it there is a pretty low parts count in the starting system so just good old parts substitution should reveal the cause.

Also, here's a tip from years of experience. Don't always assume a new part is good. I have chased many electrical problems that turned out to be extremely difficult to find since I assumed a new part must NOT be the cause.

Have you tried a different battery of known good condition? I've had one with poor plate connections between the cells that would come and go with vibration and load. That battery blew up nicely one day while heavy load testing it. That was fun to clean up and luckily I was turned away from it when it blew so only my clothes were ruined.

Sorry I can't help more but it's tough to diagnose over the net.

Thanks, Dave. :wave

1) Since when is 2GNT back up? there was like a week like a month ago that I couldnt get on...unless...I was banned ? *Shakes fist in anger at theDawg *

2) Been busy with school and yes...for shame I got a parttime at pepboys to finish my 4 quarters of school that I have left...hey its paying for food and gas and I saved for school So F U DRIGGS...sorry your just the one that stands out of the bunch...

k end rant, send it to the pits if need be.

On to the prob.

1)screw the baking soda, use a good cleaner, This is why people should just buy the damn battery terminal protectors...

2) Make sure the grounds are ok, use an multimeter.

3) get the right battery for your car, also like they told you, a new battery CAN be defective.

The fact that you have to short it out makes me think there is something wrong with the batt dude. When you do this you are letting full current run through it.

Now in a conventional batt the plates can short each other out. ther are spaced like IIIIIIII. now with age they form a sort of "bridge" with "deposits" ( i use the terms loosely). What I like to do is run a high amperage through em to melt theese... I have the feeling you might be doing something similar.

This is dangerous, it can blow up on you, or at the very least heat it up enough to make vapors.

The think is, you dont have a conventional batt, you have one with rolled gell cells if im not mistaken... so I am stumped... What tester did they use and on what settings?

Swing by my house tomorrow morning if ya can, or ill call ya.

Member # 751


FOUNDER of the Central Cali chapter of 2GNT!
(I got kicked out after I refused to go Cow tiping) - Hehehe you know who this is for

Just to update ppl. I found nothing... Ground has near 0 loss.
All wires are good... Everything working dandy lol... hate it when that happens.

Member # 751


FOUNDER of the Central Cali chapter of 2GNT!
(I got kicked out after I refused to go Cow tiping) - Hehehe you know who this is for

Pretty much what Ivan just said...

WTF guys!!! Hahaha. Yesterday afternoon and this morning, the problem seems to be gone. No "jumpstarting" required. Didn't do anything else to the car since then.

Argh, hate it when you're trying to duplicate a problem to diagnose it and then its gone when you need the problem to be there...

Thanks azdave for checking my post btw.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

I guess... Gonna wait for the next time this happens. Then its goodbye battery. Time to buy some blue paint now...

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Damn your engine is clean.... how do you keep that header lookin so purty?

better than some... Greater than most

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

Originally posted by thedawg

Originally posted by SonicYan

Originally posted by knight ryda 99 Damn your engine is clean.... how do you keep that header lookin so purty?

He painted the header. What a ricer...

Dude you bought a boat battery because it matched your wires. STFU.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

HAHAHA!!! GADDAMIT!!! I think I fried the ECU voltage regulator or something. The car seems to be starting ok right now, no problems. I have a CEL, but normally its just the 31. I check today to see if something new came up. Argh, CEL 46, aka charging system voltage too high!!!

I finally bought a new multimeter. Fawk, 40 bux just like that. Anyway, checked both voltages. Voltage from battery was around 12.9v, while voltage from alternator was around 13.15v. Not too high right? So does that mean its the ECU that's messed up? I know there was one instance earlier this week where I shorted the battery while the car was running because of my old messed up multimeter. Car died after shorting, started right up afterwards. Please don't tell me I gotta buy a new ECU...

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH

If you fried the voltage regulator in the ECU, YOU ARE IN LUCK! CODE4 recently had the same problem (likely from a short in the 2O2S power lead) and found a work around using an external regulator from a Dodge Omni or something. Find CODE4 and PM him. He is an active Marine, but he's out in SoVa with Aggression and them boys. I'm sure he can tell you how to solve this problem for less than $50.

I thought the voltage regulator was in the alternator.

The field switching coil is of course in the alternator, but it is the ECU that controls the field switching to regulate voltage.

______________________________
If a sentence found online has 35% misspellings or greater and includes at least two racially charged expletives, chances are it is a YouTube comment.

'95 Eclipse TurboGS (garage deco)
'95 TSi AWD (restoring a survivor)
'97 Talon ESi-T (poor impulse control)
'99 Eclipse RS-T (daily beater)
'13 Evo X (mostly stock)
'17 Sienna (Middle Aged Dad Mobile)



Factory Service Manuals: http://nawdu.de/files/

2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild...
Daily: Volt
Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO

Thanks for the info Driggs! I'll check that out as well.

SonicYan aka Mikey
1997 Eclipse RS
Pinoy Reppin' SoCal 2GNT
Best: 16.35 @ 83.05 MPH