Car was running fine, turned it off. Half hour later went to start again to put up windows, got a click, got no crank whatsoever and suddenly power went out (dash lights, dome, locks). Tried a couple hours later, dash lights returned but same result when key turned.

tested starter fusible links but they all fine.

tested some fuses in driver foot well but nothing out of ordinary.

Anything else i should check? Please be detailed with location as i'm not very familiar with it. Pictures would help.

1990 GTA Auto

thanks

 

You have a loose or corroded connection on one of the big wires that lead from your battery to your starter(positive side) and engine block(negative side) . Two wires, each with a connection on each end, so four connections, two at the battery and two at the engine, one of those needing cleaning or tightening is your problem.....

 

 

Thanks for the quick response! Where about on the block would the negative terminal ground to?

 

Check your battery connections first. Look in the terminals as well and make sure they are cleaned out properly.

 

Follow the cable. You'll get to it.

 

Thank you! The battery cables were dirty and just needed a brushing. I thought it might have been burned fusible links at starter solenoid as the symptoms sounded exactly the same. But not in this case.

Was wondering what battery studs are recommended? The ones i had the (-) stud was so short that it only threaded into battery by 1 or 2 threads and never tightened very well. Also it was a major PITA to start a thread through the cable. The ones available at autozone are the same junk. Battery is standard side terminal.

Currently i'm using a steel bolt from hardware store and two washers. Seems to work well but can tell the battery is zapping the bolt so guessing not very good electrical contact is being made.

 

Hi gta90, I'm curious, how can you tell the battery is "zapping" the bolt? Sparks when engaging the starter? Gets very hot when engaging the starter? I know the threads are kinda short on the side posts but there should be proper engagement with the stock retaining bolts, do you have aftermarket wires(or actually the terminal ends) that are thicker than stock?

 

On one of the bolts there was a darkened burn mark in a small section on/between some threads. I wire brushed it shiny again but guessing after a few more start ups it will return. Was thinking the factory studs probably have better thread engagement.

Regarding battery cables I'm pretty sure they are factory original.