This has never happened to me, so I'm really confused here. I'm hoping someone can tell me what this is.
Tonight I went to start up my car in the parking lot of Target after a trip there. I turned on the lights and everything before starting it, and everything was working. When I turned the ignition everything was fine, but then when I turned it to start the car all of the lights, the stereo, and the fans popped off. Tried to start it again, and it did the typical no power thing, and I tried to turn on a few dome lights and they came on, but dim.
So I had a friend come and jump the car..car got power again, everything worked. Turned the key, pop again, everything goes off, and a few friends I had watching said the cables sparked. Waited about a half hour trying to figure it out, and after a while decided to try and jump it one last time.
Then it decides to start, but I could hear a heavy buzzing sound coming from somewhere around the right bank of the engine, and the sound of what seems like wood knocking together from the alternator. Took the jumper cables off then, turned the car off, and started it again. This time it had no problems, no noises, nothing.
Anyway, the car acted fine after that, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me what happened, because I don't want it to be something that catches up to me later.

Starter was replaced about a month ago. Don't think that'd have anything to do with it, because it's been started a lot since then with no problems.
Thanks.

 

Two days later..It's doing it again, so now I can't get it out of my driveway. Does anyone have any ideas at all?

 

Hey hate to sound stupid, but when was the last time you cleaned the batterry terminals??? Good start, and maybe check the positive battery cable going to the starter, maybe grounded out somewhere on the way down to the starter??? try those for possible problems, if not DEFECTIVE STARTER, sounds like it is grounding out..Where did you buy the starter at<>>>>???? AutoZone, Pep Boys, NAPA??? Might think about those possibilities also''
Let me know if that was of help
Rick

 

Hey, it is definitely the battery terminals. They may seem fine but they are not making good contact.
How do I know?
I had exactly the same problem a few months ago. Exactly the same.
If the terminals do not clamp on right, make sure they fit cuz otherwise it'll come back and bite you in the a** again.
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I was out on vacation.