My car runs amazing when its running, but I ran into an issue with the battery.

I have an 86 TPI, V6, stick shift.

Basically my old battery finally went to hell, so I went and bought a new battery. The battery seemed to work fine for a little while, and then I had issues galore with starting my car within 2 or 3 months.

It gets to a point of turning the switch and absolutely nothing happens. The lights work, the stereo works, everything works, but when I turn the key, the stereo "shuts off" for a second and the lights inside dim.

As for the engine absolutely nothing happens. When I put the key in the sound is on, when I turn it to start it everything kicks on like its supposed to, but when I go to start it nothing happens. No clicks, no settle attempts to start, absolutely nothing.

I noticed the car reads that my battery is dead. Its in the red zone on the dash, basically little voltage and when I turn the key it says it has no voltage at all.

My car used to start fine as long as I kept starting it every day. If I didn't start it for a day, it will do this. I charged my battery and haven't bothered starting it for a while, and now its doing it non-stop, not starting at all.

Before I also had to wait a while as well. If I had it running for a while and shut it off, I'd have to wait an hour or more to start it again. If I jump start it, it starts and runs fine, the battery gauge will even read a proper voltage (right in the middle area where its supposed to be) It won't randomly die or anything.

Things to note
-My battery charger says the battery is fine and fully charged.

-I bought the battery at Autozone, had them look up my car, and got the best battery they had.

-I had a warranty on the battery (as it did this within 3 months) and took it to Autozone, the battery was dead the first time, but they said it was fine and holding a charge. I took it in several more times and it supposedly wasn't dead at all. Its been over a year (Actually two since I gave up trying to fix this) of having this issue, so I can't replace it anymore, so I stopped taking it in hoping to get a new battery......

-I figured it could be the starter, replaced that and it's brand new. Still having the issue.

-Figured my stereo or something is "draining" the voltage. Unhooked all of the unneeded stuff, and my car still reads low voltage.

I honestly just want to hear it running again at this point, I miss it. I also need to get it started to start using it again as our other car is eating gas faster than it, surprising I know.

 

Get the battery fully charged and install it in the car. Take your voltmeter and check voltage at the battery. Should be no less than 12.4-12.6. Using the battery negative as ground for your dvom test voltage at the starter, Should be the same. Get a schematic and find the rest of your 12v supplies and check voltage, check voltage at the alternator. Start the car (if it will) and measure battery voltage, should be 13.8-14.2v. If the car is dead use the dvom and check power at the starter while someone turns the key. Also check voltage at the starter signal wire. Also just for giggles, see if there is voltage on the engine block, if you have voltage then the ground to the block is bad.

 

I found the issue. I followed all the wires that were mentioned in all forums posts as being an issue.

Turns out the little mechanism for the clutch lost connection, had to fix the wires and plug it back in. Starts with one quick turn again. I haven't tested the heat issue yet though as I'm unable to drive it.