Ok, so it's been quite cold here in Iowa and my Camaro has had the funniest problem a few times. The last time it did this was about two days ago. So I go to start my car, turn the key to on, let the pump prime and start. Well as soon as it's running it stalls. I'm thinking ok, no biggy it's freezing out. Try again this time it's starts but my radio (aftermarket) must have lost power cause all the presets and clock were out. Hmm, so I turn on my heater and my radio looses power (with the fan on low). First off I KNOW I wired it right, soldered joints with a bell-south splice, I used to restore antique electronics so I know how to solder. Anyway, turn off the heater and the radio comes back on. Turn the heater back on radio cuts again and now my SES light comes on for maybe a minute and goes off. So I went inside and just let the car warm up (with heater on) came back outside and the radio has power and everything seems ok.
Turned the car off to try and pull the trouble code but there weren't any codes stored, little odd. So I start her up and I'm on my way to work, stop at a light and it stalls, now I'm getting pissed. Started it again and it took three tries but started. So far the car has done this three times but only stalled once and the ses light only came on once. However, today was MUCH colder than the other days and she started right up with none of these probs. Anyone have any ideas, was thinking maybe bad ground but I'm not sure it would crank if it did?
Thanks
Alex

 

Before you start trying to troubleshoot anything, make sure the battery is fully charged, capable of holding a charge and capable of passing a load test.

 

The battery is maybe six months old and fully charged (I checked multiple times) and passes a load test. The alt is also a new reman unit.

 

 

had a similar problem, it was simple as a loose battery terminal connection.
check that they're clean and tight on both ends of the wire. also check your alternator post that that wire's clean and tight.

 

sounds like a body ground issue to me, like they told us in electronics school "kiss" keep it simple stupid, dont make it bigger than it really is. 85% of all electrical issues stem from bad connections. my 91 has a head light issue when on high beam the hi beams only will flash on and off at an iregular rate, simple problem, ground behind the battery is corroded

 

I had a similar problem....alternator was bad....was still putting out voltage, but no amps, or was it otherway around, can't rember....but just a thought for you.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I forgot to mention that the battery cables are also only a few months old so cleaned the terminals when I replaced them. I'll start searching for bad ground. Also, I looked up the specs on my radio and it can actually operate on only 9v so it must be getting less than that!

I've got another prob I forgot to mention that I don't think has anything to do with the above. My rear defrost does not stay on long enough and when I try to put it back on it won't until it's been off for a little. Any tips on this as well?
Thanks
Alex

 

ok lets get a little techy here, where is your ground cable connected to? if it is connected to an exaust bolt MOVE IT, to somewhere on the block or intake manifold. next do you have a ground from the motor to the body, or from the battery to the body? if no to both of these there is your problem, if you do have one of these check the body end to see if it is loose, in which case you need to find a new bolt to use. let us know what you find.

 

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I checked and engine ground goes right to the block. But I don't have an engine to body ground. I think that it's just damn cold out side and that's why it's being problematic. Nevertheless, I'd like to add a ground from engine to body, what are some good locations and what gauge wire should I use?
Thanks
Alex

 

2 10 guage wires should do it, I'd run one to a solid bolt on the firewall and one to a good bolt on one of the fenders, it wouldn't hurt to run a 4 guage to the frame as well.

 

Sweet, will do. Thanks again guys

 

Alright it's doing it again. Was coming out of a parking lot and all of a sudden the SES light came on, radio and heater completely stopped and then it stalled as I was making a tight turn. I was driving with on hand and nearly hit a car. Any other ideas as to what this could be especially the SES light? I tried to pull any codes but nothing was stored. As soon as I put the car in neutral it started up fine and didn't have any issues. I checked my connection at the battery, starter, and ground and all were good. Any input?

 

did you install the grounds? not that it will help but what direction were you turning? and have you checked the fusible links yet? are your motor mounts good? is your trans mount good? (looking for movement with in the system) check your battery cable from the batt' to the starter look to see if the cable is close enough to the exhaust to make contact (ie a momentary dead short) if you haven't checked all of these you are wasting your time and our time, please let us know what you have checked. I feel kind of like I am urinating into the wind here man. feedback feedback feedback

 

Sorry man, the grounds are in, two 8 gauge wires, fusible links are all new actually so yes they're good, trans mount is new, motor mounts are a year old, battery cable isn't long enough to touch the exhaust (or anything else it isn't supposed to touch) and all the connections are tight & clean. sorry man, i can be a real pain in the ***. any more info that might help? i've replaced most of the "wearable" parts as far as the electrical system is concerned.
thanks

 

just a crazy guess look on the fire wall, see if there is a isolated junction block. it will have red wires connected to it. looking at your wiring diagram there are more than 1 fusable link, they should be there. check them and the nut for tightness. next what you are describing is a momentary total power loss, more than likely a short in a 10 gauge wire somewhere, check every inch of your wire loom for melted plastic or abrasion. have you or someone had the motor or trans out? check the bell housing mating for a wire caught between them (I have done this one myself) and not least was it working before you made a repair or mod, go back to that point and look at it for what I call an "H I A" situation, that is a Head In A$$ oops!!!! I preform this feat of physical magic often

 

I'll check the links and junction block as soon as it stops raining. I actually had my tranny replaced by the local cottman tranny place a few months ago. And I had raised the engine (didn't take it out) in october to replace the oil pump. So I'll def check around there for any bad wiring.
Thanks again man