2000 Oldsmobile Alero Good battery but no system electrical

Tiny
MARSHALL99
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,200 MILES
There are three issues which may be related or may just be coincidences. I have noticed recently that I receive a static shock after exiting the car and touching the door, etc, as if there is a grounding problem. Then about a week ago the car started some peculiar behavior. Occasionally after starting (and beginning to back up) the anti-lock warning would come on and stay on, though the brakes worked normally without any indication of AL actually occurring. If I turned the car off at this point, it would not start without a great deal of manually goosing the gas pedal, as if the fuel injection system was out of whack. Once it started, everything was ok.

Then yesterday I go out to start it and. Nothing. And I mean no electrical anywhere; no acc, no power windows, no auto lock/unlock of the doors, no lights, etc. Completely and utterly dead. Thinking the battery (which is new) may have somehow drained, I jumped it, and it started. I drove it for several miles, and the battery charged and even started the vehicle normally after shutting it off. Then later that day I go out to start it and. Nothing again. This time not even a jump had any effect whatsoever. I checked the battery terminals with a multimeter and I can read 12v (it actually says 13v?), So I'm assuming the battery is ok.

This has me really stumped. Today I'm going to clean the battery cables and check fuses and connections to the ignition switch if I can find it, but otherwise, I'm in over my head. Ideas?
Sunday, October 10th, 2010 AT 11:20 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Battery volts OK
Remove check battery terminals and clean, if still having the same problems
suspect ignition switch and check for power in and out the switch
do you have an access to a scanner tool
and if so check for data, ignition switch, on then off
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 6:31 AM
Tiny
MARSHALL99
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Turns out the positive cable was severely corroded inside the plastic housing that contains it. Being unfamiliar with this type of battery cable I assumed that the exposed nut holding it on was the contact and since it looked clean and was tight I had never suspected a problem with it. I gave everything a good cleaning with a wire brush inside and out and the problem is solved. Thanks for the help.
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 10:10 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Thank you for the update
happy all worked OK for you
come back any time have a question
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 10:14 PM

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