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  • Battery shorts out when key turned to start

    TL;DR version because I'm in a hurry...

    Motor blew, put new one in, drove it for about 3 days, motor stalled, wouldn't start (would crank, no start) for anything.

    Tried plug wires, disty cap, etc. Gave up. Car sat for ~4 months. Went to try starting it, fired right up. Idled for about 10 minutes.

    Push clutch in, put it in gear, let clutch out, died the second it started to bite (no, I didn't stall it, I know how to drive.)

    Ever since then, the battery shorts out every time I turn the key to start. If I charge it or let it sit long enough, I can turn it to accessory and all electrical works.

    But once I turn it to start, everything dies and the dash lights are instantly dim.

    Tried engine ground wire, no dice. Even doubled them up. Haven't tried anything else yet. Thoughts?
    1990 White L-Plus 5-speed rust-machine
    Scrapped

    1991 Blue L 5-speed
    daily driver, intermittent project

    1993 rustless wonder
    A shell, awaiting suspension, brakes, and B6T

  • #2
    Inspect and clean the starter connections.
    If still a problem, check your ignition switch.
    If still a problem, change your battery.
    Last edited by bravekozak; 01-22-2017, 11:32 PM.

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    • #3
      I'm with Brave, it sounds like the plates are sulfated and can't handle the current draw.
      Trees aren't kind to me...

      currently: 2 88Ls (Scrappy and Jersey), 88LX, 90L(Pepe), 91L, 91GL (Skippy) 93 GL Sport (the Mighty Favakk), 94 (Bruce) & 95 Aspire SEs, 97 Aspire (The Joker),
      94 Justy 4WD, 87 Fiero GT, plus 2 parts cars. That's my fleet.

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      • #4
        If its not a maintinance free battery check the liquid level. Or try a different battery

        Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

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        • #5
          Tried jumping it with a marine battery, it worked. Gonna check the alternator to see if its out (2 year old 85A MPV alt), and will get a new battery.
          1990 White L-Plus 5-speed rust-machine
          Scrapped

          1991 Blue L 5-speed
          daily driver, intermittent project

          1993 rustless wonder
          A shell, awaiting suspension, brakes, and B6T

          Comment


          • #6
            This sounds like the exact issue I am having.
            1991 Ford Festiva BP (Full Aspire/Rio Swap) (337k Miles) (Around 95k Engine)
            2002 Chevy Cavalier LS Sport 2.2L DOHC Ecotec (Threw a Rod)
            1998 Chevy Monte Carlo LS 3.1 V6 (225k miles) Best MPG = 28

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