Car won't start. No radio, A/C, or Noise/Inside lights when I open the door.

JUSTME919

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA
3.1L
V6
AUTOMATIC
143,000 MILES

My battle wagon gave out last week, and I put it to the back of my mind seeing that I work from home, but now im stranded with time off so here is my problem.

Starter died - starting the car sounded like the battery was dead but everything fired up no problem. Lasted about 4-6 starts over about 3-4 days then died.

Replaced starter, recharged battery, put key in and tried to start it. Now my starter will kick no problem, car turns over fires up and then doesn't stay on at all.

And im here.
so ive checked all connections, all fuses, GOOD. NO SECURITY LIGHT, ive researched the heck out of that issue but no solution. Everything inside the car is dead completely, no power doors, no a/c, no radio, no lights but car will still turn over but not fire up.

Like I said, I work from home, so I have nothing but time.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

If nothing is working inside, there is either a broken wire between the fuse panel under the hood and in the car, or the power from the battery isn't getting to the power distribution box under the hood. That is where all the main fuses are located. Recheck all fuses there to confirm they are good. Remember, even if they look good, they could still be bad, so checking continuity is a good idea. If they check good, use a test light or volt meter to confirm there is power to the fuse itself.

Let me know what you find.

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015 AT 7:25 PM

JUSTME919

MEMBER
2 POSTS

First thing in the morning, ill be checking any and everything that you suggest, but is it common for the inside electronics to not work at all UNTIL I try and start the car. Then everything on the inside works for a total of the 1 second that my car dies.

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015 AT 7:38 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Actually, no it isn't common. Something sounds loose to me. Make sure battery terminals are clean and tight, and all wiring to the power distribution box are clean and properly attached. Don't be afraid to remove main fuses to make sure they are getting a good, clean connection.

Also, make sure there are no issued with grounds from the battery. Check the battery cables for wear, damage, corrosion.

What you describes sounds like there is a weak connection. Just enough to start everything working and lose connection and cause everything to die.

I have worked on cars for over 30 years now. I still remember my shop teacher saying. "Anytime there is an electrical problem, always start at the power source, the battery."

It's funny, but he was right. Even things you wouldn't suspect to be related can be affected by a poor power connection.

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015 AT 7:53 PM