I have a relatively new battery (~5 months), and recently my car would not start, I would turn the key, cluster lights up, fuel pump primes, and the second I turn it to ignite, the battery dies (dome lights go off, cluster goes out). I looked at the terminal connections, and noticed the ground (negative) wire was very loose on the post, and it was as tight as it would go. Yet, it would still easily fall off. I wasn't able to start my car without a jump. This past weekend I got around to replacing the ground (negative) wire and connector, and now I have a solid, tight connection to the battery. It started up in a snap, and continued to work great for 2 days. Today, the original issue returned. The car refuses to ignite and the battery (supposedly) dies. I haven't got a chance to test the volts directly off the battery, but with the engine running, the interior volt meter reads the normal 13.5-14 Volts (alternator working and charging). I drove it 80 miles today, shut it off, and it still died on ignition when I tried to turn her back on. I don't get it. What could be wrong? Starter?

03 Base Model

 

If its cutting off, while driving, its not the starter, as its only used to crank the car, not while its running.

It sounds to me, like you have a ground that is loose. Check the chassis grounds for the alternator and battery.

 

Car never shut off while running, even before replacing the battery ground. The issue is only starting. I'll check the alternator ground. My new battery ground is tighter than fort knox.

 

Sounds like the battery is gone from all the depletions caused by a loose ground. Acid based batteries cannot be depleted too many times or they will no longer hold a charge...

 

You might be right. I'll get the battery tested and most likely replaced.

 

I use the Optima Yellow Top personally. It's an acid free battery that can be depleted numerous times, yet still recharge to 100%. Just an option. They are pricey however...

 

Who's this Vo brovato?^^

 

I dunno, some ghost that shows up every now and then...

 

Im sorry! I misread your OP, where you said "Shut it off" I thought you said, "it shut off"




Did you get a chance to test the battery with the engine off yet?