Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









Search Auto Parts

power issues help!


  Email This Post



dumbcar
Novice

Jan 19, 2016, 7:54 PM

Post #1 of 19 (1513 views)
  post locked   power issues help!  

I have a 2001 chrysler/dodge intrepid 2.7 about 160 000 km
I drove my car to work stopped it for 5 mins then tried to start it again and it wouldnt. It was making a clicking sound behind the dash. I waited for the clicking sound to stop and tried again and it started. This would happen for 2 days when ever i did a stop engine to ignite within a short time. (The ticking only happened the first time) then one time it wouldnt start at all. I got a jump start. Was able to drive home which is a 10 min drive and when reversing into my drive way everything died. Everytime i jump start, it lasts 15 mins and dies. Lights flickering inside and outside. I changed the alternator. Had to get another jumpstart. Car lasts 30 mins then dies. This time the battery light was on. I go and get a new battery. Open the door and my cab lights are bright again try to start. It clicks once like it should then all my lights die and instruments dies and it wont start. When i open the door my km guage and the light for the seat belt are on and flickering really fast. When i try to use my autolocks they clicck sound really fast without working. When i try to start now nothing happens but my oil light comes on. Dont know whats wrong


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 19, 2016, 9:09 PM

Post #2 of 19 (1502 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Sounds like the electrical system has a low voltage problem. Do you have a digital volt/ohm meter?

Are the battery connections clean and tight? What is the voltage on the battery terminals when the lights are flickering?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dumbcar
Novice

Jan 19, 2016, 9:20 PM

Post #3 of 19 (1496 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

I do not have a volt meter unfortunately but the terimal are new and the connectors have been scraped down to fresh metal. And on tight and secure


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 19, 2016, 9:22 PM

Post #4 of 19 (1493 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

If your going to diagnose electrical problems, you will need a volt meter.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dumbcar
Novice

Jan 19, 2016, 9:23 PM

Post #5 of 19 (1489 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

And what do i test? I already had the new battery checked its running just over 12 volts


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 19, 2016, 9:31 PM

Post #6 of 19 (1485 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

You need to find out what the voltage is on the electrical system with loads applied. The battery light doesn't come on to tell you to change the battery. It comes on when there is a charging system fault.

You need to verify the voltage at the battery terminals when the lights are acting up. A reading of only 12 volts open circuit on the battery posts is a dead battery. Need some direction. Without some voltage measurements at different points in the electrical system, your guess is good as ours.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dumbcar
Novice

Jan 19, 2016, 9:58 PM

Post #7 of 19 (1480 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Thanks for trying


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 19, 2016, 10:08 PM

Post #8 of 19 (1476 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Not sure what you mean by that. If you were looking for an easy answer, I wish I could give it to you. It doesn't work that way though when it comes to diagnosing electrical problems. Sure we could guess and tell you to replace parts, but that can get expensive and time consuming.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dumbcar
Novice

Jan 19, 2016, 10:11 PM

Post #9 of 19 (1473 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

I agree. Was trying to be proactive and do my own repairs. But i think this is above me now and im going to tow it to the shop and let them figure it out. I do appreciate the responses you have posted. Thanks


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 19, 2016, 10:18 PM

Post #10 of 19 (1470 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Understandable that your trying to save a buck. I do that myself when it comes to working on my home. I don't know squat about wood working, but if it something I might be able to figure out, i'll try it.

Let us know how things turn out, so we can resolve your thread. Thanks : )





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dumbcar
Novice

Jan 19, 2016, 10:20 PM

Post #11 of 19 (1465 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

I will for sure. Thanks


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 20, 2016, 1:10 AM

Post #12 of 19 (1459 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Quote from post #3 "Edit | Delete | Quote | Reply

I do not have a volt meter unfortunately but the terimal are new and the connectors have been scraped down to fresh metal. And on tight and secure <<"
Get a DVOM or just a voltmeter. You must have replaced those for a problem seen or one that happened already. Most are so dang cheap (cable ends) clean and tight isn't good enough. Most again are really meant for a last ditch temporary fix to get vehicle going till you can splice in the better ones properly.
If you just used those "U" bolt ends only that you strip back some wire those always are junk so need to both get those right which you'll see with a DVOM and fix the reason they went bad in the first place and any collateral damage near battery from acid that made them go bad in the first place,


T



dumbcar
Novice

Jan 21, 2016, 4:20 PM

Post #13 of 19 (1432 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Final update. Turns out my positive connection was corroded. Little trimming and splicing and im driving again. Hope this helps future questions from intrepid owners


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 21, 2016, 4:56 PM

Post #14 of 19 (1429 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Appreciate the update and you found the problem spot. It's not unique to any particular make or model it's connections that nobody tends to along the way whether a ride on lawn mower or car - same bull can happen.
If you hack up cables they'll be back to haunt you. I'm finding whole new ones quickly unavailable now so higher end cable end splices more common quickly.
Some vehicles just place batteries of awkward locations, assorted makes could be under back seats, behind an inner fender shield or even in trunks and get neglected that much more,


T



dumbcar
Novice

Jan 21, 2016, 4:59 PM

Post #15 of 19 (1422 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Ya mines in front of the passanger wheel well under the air filter


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 21, 2016, 5:13 PM

Post #16 of 19 (1417 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

I thought so! Another bright idea to bankrupt a company. Now FIAT has their name first at the dealers kinda the blind leading the blind.
They place batteries where they either have to or want to because the weigh something. Many sports or Euro cars put them low under back seats and some in trunks like now an old Rolls Royce I worked on.


As said, it's just not something listed to check and tend to on routine lists of things to do periodically. If you just put a quick spray* of light oil like a WD-40 on the connections even at oil change times this almost doesn't happen. I do my own more often than that and never get surprised.


It's less messy if you put some in a cup and Q-Tip it on things that will be a hassle someday right up to latches of glove boxes and so on,


T


T



dumbcar
Novice

Jan 21, 2016, 5:18 PM

Post #17 of 19 (1412 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Good tip. Im just glad it wasnt something else stupid expensive


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 21, 2016, 5:38 PM

Post #18 of 19 (1411 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

I remember reading somewhere that Chrysler did that so they could have a lower hood line. That is what gave those cars the suppository look. Glad to read you got it figured out. Thanks for keeping us updated.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 21, 2016, 6:01 PM

Post #19 of 19 (1407 views)
  post locked   Re: power issues help!  

Sounds like it's time to close this one.
If you need it reopened, just ask a Mod.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap