Will not start and electrical issues

AUTUMN LEA VIRDEN

MEMBER
2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
193,000 MILES

I turn the key to try to start my car but nothing happens won't even try to turn over and no dash lights or gauges or air or radio lights either. A few times it did start and ran fine but the air conditioning and heating wouldn't come on and I know for sure they both work. Now I can't even get it to try to start. I checked all of my fuses and relays and even changed the ignition switch still can't get nothing no dash lights radio and air panels but I can get everything else to work like it should when I turn the key on but I can't roll the windows down either what could be the problem?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Are you sure the battery is good? Have you checked to make sure the terminals are clean and tight? Take a look through this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

It sounds like either you lost ground or a connection from the battery. It sounds like nothing works, but you said everything else does. This will sound crazy, but what does work? Let me know that and I will try going through wiring schematics to see if I can figure out what is happening. Also, I want to confirm that you did check fuses. When checked, did you see if there was power at the fuse location?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Here are a few links that may be helpful when confirming power at the fuses:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know.

Take care,
Joe

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Friday, August 23rd, 2019 AT 8:56 PM

AUTUMN LEA VIRDEN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well to your question about what does work; the dome lights and headlights work, power locks also work. And I put a smart charger on my battery and it's 100%. My battery connectors are tight and clean but when I get back home I will check the other end of both of them and let you know if that does anything. Again thank you for helping me with the issue hope to get it resolved soon.

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Saturday, August 24th, 2019 AT 10:29 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Welcome back, Autumn.

I'll try my best to help. Let me know what you find when you check those things. Not being there makes it a bit tricky, but we'll figure it out one way or another.

Take care,
Joe

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Saturday, August 24th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM