hi i'm new here and just purchased a 98 TA last thursday. it's run fine until tonite i couldn't start it without a jump. i got a jump and went to return the cables to the person i borrowed them from and came back and my car had stopped. it seemed like the battery was dead (or alternator) so i called a friend to get a ride home. while i was talking to him everthing returned to normal (i left the key in the on position) so i cranked it and it got home fine. any theories on what is causing this. i would appreciate any help i can get.
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98 z-71 silverado white
93 trans am, green, a4, 96 trans am motor swap in progress -
Check all the battery cable connections, grounds and the main hot lead to the starter. If something is loose, it will show the signs that you see.
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thanx for the reply joe. checked the battery connections and the ground and they seem fine. yet last night it acted just like the battery had been unhooked when i finnally got it cranked. think i should take the car back to the dealer and get my money back?98 z-71 silverado white
93 trans am, green, a4, 96 trans am motor swap in progressComment
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definately sounds like loose or corroded battery connections to me. Have someone perform a check on your charging system to make sure your alternator is working, but I wold bet on the cables. My wifes car used to do the same thing, the cables felt tight but I took the off, cleaned up the terminals good and clamped down the cables as hard as I possibly could and it solved the problem... never happened again.
Dave MDave M
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of all who threaten it!
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Before doing anything else, do what Dave and Joe recommend. The very first place to look is where the negative cable connects to ground. Remove it, clean it and re-attach it. Won't cost you anything. Look for other causes only if this does not work.
Had the same thing happen to my '78. Wasn't making proper ground. Quick clean of the cables and all was well.
A bad alternator will probably just allow your battery to drain and you won't have any electrical power at all. Most places will test an alternator free.R.i.K.
'98 WS6 TA (white, of course!), Hurst Billet/Plus shifter, BBK intake manifold, McGard “blue-ring” lug nuts (12x1.5), PowerSlot brake rotors, Hawk brake pads, Stainless steel braided brake lines, Pontiac arrow, Hotchkis strut tower brace, MBA MAF ends, Reflective Concepts lettering, MTI carbon-fiber look airbox lid . . . and one greying, somewhat eccentric owner.Comment
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thanx everyone cleaned the battery terminals and the problem hasn't resurfaced. i guess it got corroded from sitting on the lot. thanx for the advice everyone98 z-71 silverado white
93 trans am, green, a4, 96 trans am motor swap in progressComment
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