Car sometimes won't start

JAYARDITO

MEMBER
1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
6 CYL
FWD
120,000 MILES

I opened the door to my car and the interior lights did not come on indicating a dead battery. The car started but I had to reset my radio stations. This has happened a couple of times. It happened again today and the interior lights did not come on and the car did not start, totally dead. I hooked up jumper cables and the interior lights still did not come on. Finally the lights came on after about 1 minute and the car started. I purchased a new battery figuring that was the problem. When I got home and shut the car off the interior lights did not come on as they usually do. After about 10 seconds the lights came on and the car started up. What could be the problem. 1999 Pontiac Bonneville 6cyl.

Thursday, July 14th, 2011 AT 4:02 AM

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

You need to fully charge your battery do you have a multimeter to do some testing?I suspect a charging system issue.

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Thursday, July 14th, 2011 AT 4:24 AM

JAYARDITO

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Did you fully understand my question? Old battery was good new battery fully charged. Interior lights do not come on, car is dead, no cranking whatsoever when you turn the key and try to start the car the car is dead. Battery has loads of power.

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Thursday, July 14th, 2011 AT 3:14 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

I guess I didnt understand it you said you bought a new battery you never installed it?Because you said the old battery was good?Lets do this make sure the battery cables are clean and tight. Then start the car hook up the multimeter to the battery cables then turn on the headlights on high beam a/c on blower speed on high. Now what does the voltage read?

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Thursday, July 14th, 2011 AT 3:52 PM