7 replies to this topic

[madkow007]

89 GL wagon - spfi ea82, d/r 4 whl dr, 5 speed - car ran before we started working, but leaked fuel and had no brakes.

things done so far -
new brakes all around,
new timing belts
new NGK plugs
new dist. cap
new plug wires
new fuel filter
changed out coil bracket (bad ignition amp)

swapped out fuel tank
swapped fuel pump, but going back to original one as the new/used one doesnt work...

car acts like it has a major short somewhere - turn key, get a loud click, then power dies completely. power resets itself after several minutes with key turned off. checked all grounds, battery connections, fuses and fuseable links under hood - where do we look next??????????????????

[baccaruda]

check all your major ground wires, especially the ones off the battery.

try changing your starter. check your fuses under the dash for a burnt fuse, that might tell you what area the problem's in if not the starter. check the fusible links under next to the coolant overflow bottle too.

double check the coil wiring, etc too.

[TROGDOR!]

Triple or quadruple check your battery connections. Clean the inside of the terminal clamps until they shine, and do the same for the posts on the battery. Make sure the connections are EXTRA tight. This sounds like classic case of a bad battery connection.

[TomRhere]

Would also suggest checking the battery cables themselves where they are connected, meaning the end terminals themselves. Have had a few over the years that were corroded inside of the terminals. Even had a couple pull right out of the battery terminal end, with a minimum tug on the cable. Just some thoughts....

[Soobadooba]

Have you tried a DIFFERENT battery?
-Louis-
'04 Forester XT 5spd
'91 Loyale 4wd 5spd Wagon

[Sweet82]

I'm with the crowd on this one. Got to be bad/dirty electrical connection. Have you tried jumping (with jumper cables--not jumping on) the car to get it going?
I think the noise is normal when you start your car, you just don't notice it with the other noises when the car actually starts. I think your battery is coming back to life after a few minutes and things will work again.

Glenn,
82 SubaruHummer
01 Forester

[madkow007]

Hi all

Thanks for the replys
Forgot to add that cables have been changed.
Have not had time to try the things here yet.
Votage on battery reads 12.8...is that enuff to turn
the motor?
Motor turns freely by hand.
Would a bad fuel pump cause this kind of prob?
Fuel sending unit is not hooked up...that shouldn't
cause this. right???

[madkow007]

Well well...these sure are picky little beasts...lol

Cleaned off bat posts and what do you know...cranks right over.
must have been all that time sitting with no cables on while other
work was being done.

Thanks to all that took the time to help us out.