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Random Dead Car for Reasons Unknown

Tiny
TORCHY
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 135,000 MILES
I was gone on a vacation for 4 days. Normally this is not an issue, but this morning when I went to start my car it would not go with either the remote starter or the manual key-in-ignition start. My alternator is new, the battery is new-ish. There is no clicking noise whatsoever, only a very, VERY faint beeping noise from under the dash. I tried to jump-start it, but it didn't work (though it's possible I didn't give it enough time.I did need to get to work). This car is nickel and dime-ing me. Any ideas on what I could be looking at? Blown fuse? Dead battery? Remote-starter system getting in the way? Please help, I'm at my wits end! Am I looking at something serious?
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 AT 9:05 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Get the battery recharged first. When was the battery made and purchased? There is a sticker on the battery case. Tell us what it says.
Next check all connections: at the battery and the starter/solenoid.
Next, hot start it. Leave the key off. Get a wire and connect it to the battery. Then touch it to the starter solenoid terminal. If the car turns over, you have a bad starter or solenoid. Take it to a parts store for testing.
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
NAPPY007
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Wiggle the battery connections for a quick fix. You will need a 5/16 wrench for this, I believe. Then when you get the time remove the battery and clean the connections thoroughly. The same thing has been happening to me with my 98 lumina ltz and wiggling the connections works every time.
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Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011 AT 4:54 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
The "wiggle test" is a start.
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Thursday, November 24th, 2011 AT 3:35 AM
Tiny
TORCHY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hey!

Thanks everyone for the advice, but I failed at step one. I had to take it to a shop anyway -- the battery is completely dead and won't hold a charge. It's only a year and a half old, so that's really frustrating. Hopefully that is the cause of the problem and the replacement is the solution!
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Thursday, November 24th, 2011 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Any word on this Torchy?
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
TORCHY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yep! It turned out that my driver's side power lock button was pushed in -- it had been for a long time but as it never really seemed to affect much, I didn't care. However, over time, it had been draining my battery by signaling it to lock/unlock the doors constantly. The doors weren't actually responding, but the signal was being sent out. I had to have the battery replaced and the power locks fixed and a bit of re-wiring done since whoever put in my remote starter didn't do a very good job of it. All is well! Thanks for your advice!
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
My pleasure. Happy to help. Have a Happy and safe New Year.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2011 AT 9:57 PM

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