Electrical problem? Battery?
02-05-19, 04:10 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Electrical problem? Battery?
Hello everyone,
This problem literally has me stumped at the moment. Yesterday after I filled up at the gas station when I went to go start the car it attempted to start and then the whole car lost all power for about a minute and a half. When I lost power I mean I lost power like if I pulled the battery terminals right off while the car tried to start and everything went dark. When the power came back (I did nothing at all it happened on its own) the car started right up no problems but I had to reset my clock and everything else like when you disconnect the battery. This morning it happened again and lasted the same amount of time. I have a 2008 ISF and just recently changed my starter and alternator. I don’t see or believe those would cause any problems but just giving full disclosure. Anyone had problems like this? I checked the battery terminals and they are clean and on tight. I also checked all wires and grounds on top and underneath and nothing is out of place. Any help I would really appreciate thanks.
This problem literally has me stumped at the moment. Yesterday after I filled up at the gas station when I went to go start the car it attempted to start and then the whole car lost all power for about a minute and a half. When I lost power I mean I lost power like if I pulled the battery terminals right off while the car tried to start and everything went dark. When the power came back (I did nothing at all it happened on its own) the car started right up no problems but I had to reset my clock and everything else like when you disconnect the battery. This morning it happened again and lasted the same amount of time. I have a 2008 ISF and just recently changed my starter and alternator. I don’t see or believe those would cause any problems but just giving full disclosure. Anyone had problems like this? I checked the battery terminals and they are clean and on tight. I also checked all wires and grounds on top and underneath and nothing is out of place. Any help I would really appreciate thanks.
02-06-19, 07:23 AM
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
02-06-19, 09:49 AM
#4
There are certainly smarter electrical guys on this forum than I, but I'd recommend testing another battery. I would not rely on battery testers either - I'd test another battery directly in the car. A battery with the slightest flaw can wreak havoc on this car, more than any other car I've owned.
That said, I once had the strangest electrical issue in this car. My gas gauge was going nuts, and I swear the transmission was functioning improperly. Lots of shifts. After hours of troubleshooting, I found a bad LED light (I'd put it in 2 years prior) in the front dome/door light. I only found this because I caught a smell in the cockpit while I was troubleshooting - the door was open the whole time and eventually this LED put off a burning smell. I replaced the light and ALL issues went away for good.
That said, I once had the strangest electrical issue in this car. My gas gauge was going nuts, and I swear the transmission was functioning improperly. Lots of shifts. After hours of troubleshooting, I found a bad LED light (I'd put it in 2 years prior) in the front dome/door light. I only found this because I caught a smell in the cockpit while I was troubleshooting - the door was open the whole time and eventually this LED put off a burning smell. I replaced the light and ALL issues went away for good.
02-06-19, 10:03 AM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
There are certainly smarter electrical guys on this forum than I, but I'd recommend testing another battery. I would not rely on battery testers either - I'd test another battery directly in the car. A battery with the slightest flaw can wreak havoc on this car, more than any other car I've owned.
That said, I once had the strangest electrical issue in this car. My gas gauge was going nuts, and I swear the transmission was functioning improperly. Lots of shifts. After hours of troubleshooting, I found a bad LED light (I'd put it in 2 years prior) in the front dome/door light. I only found this because I caught a smell in the cockpit while I was troubleshooting - the door was open the whole time and eventually this LED put off a burning smell. I replaced the light and ALL issues went away for good.
That said, I once had the strangest electrical issue in this car. My gas gauge was going nuts, and I swear the transmission was functioning improperly. Lots of shifts. After hours of troubleshooting, I found a bad LED light (I'd put it in 2 years prior) in the front dome/door light. I only found this because I caught a smell in the cockpit while I was troubleshooting - the door was open the whole time and eventually this LED put off a burning smell. I replaced the light and ALL issues went away for good.
Last edited by ISFpowered; 02-07-19 at 06:29 PM.
02-07-19, 06:21 PM
#7
I had a similar issue but it was on my previous 2004 Toyota Camry. I replaced the starter and had been getting weird electrical issues. Similar to what you are experiencing. I was thinking it is the alternator but I wanted to try a new battery first. Turns out, it was the battery. New battery solved the issue.
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02-07-19, 06:26 PM
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
I had a similar issue but it was on my previous 2004 Toyota Camry. I replaced the starter and had been getting weird electrical issues. Similar to what you are experiencing. I was thinking it is the alternator but I wanted to try a new battery first. Turns out, it was the battery. New battery solved the issue.
02-07-19, 06:44 PM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
No I didn’t have it before. Can you explain how a poor connection on a starter would cause my entire car to lose all electrical power for a minute or two and then regain it? If the starter gave me a problem it wouldn’t start and would do the audible click and not turn the car on like it was before. I can pull the starter out and if I turn my key onto the on position it would still light up my cluster and everything else including locking and unlocking my car. The problem is just weird then again my battery has been through hell and back so I’m hoping it’s that.
02-08-19, 10:47 AM
#11
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
Sounds like a bad cell in the battery to me. How old is the battery?
02-08-19, 11:44 AM
#14
Tech Info Resource
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