Losing Electrical Current

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ThePhoenix - 20 Apr 2008 04:23 GMT

Hello.

My car loses its current and dies if I switch to high-beam. It then
goes completely dead. This can occur while I am driving on the
highway, as well as the street. It may turn back on seconds later.
Tonight after I parked it, I tried to turn it back on. It went
completely dead again. Playing with the positive terminal on the
battery eventually brings it back. What can this possibly be?

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ransley - 20 Apr 2008 15:49 GMT

> Hello.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> completely dead again. Playing with the positive terminal on the
> battery eventually brings it back. What can this possibly be?

Corosion on the post or cable, a bad cable, a loose cable, a bad
battery- loose post.

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johngdole@hotmail.com - 22 Apr 2008 04:41 GMT

Are the battery cables/terminals corroded? Do you see white/green
scales on the metals? Clean them with a battery post cleaner like the
$2.99 deal from your local Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94450

Autozone can test your battery, especially if over 5 years old you
might want to consider a replacement. Walmart Group 24F $45 Johnson
Controls are good. AC Delco's $80 maintenance free is even better.

I hope your alternator is in good shape, it may not be if the car
quits after starting up. Autozone (or your local NAPA) may be able to
test the alternator as well.

> Hello.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> completely dead again. Playing with the positive terminal on the
> battery eventually brings it back. What can this possibly be?

Reply to this Message