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.

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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

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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