Will not start, no electrical power at all?

PAULSENJAKE

MEMBER
2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
240,000 MILES

My car won't start it acts like it has absolutely no power. The battery tests fine, the alternator and starter do too. The only sound I get is when the key is inserted it makes a chime sound really fast and quiet sometimes if you wiggle the battery cables it starts or if you jump it any ideas of what the issue could be?

Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 AT 10:38 AM

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi,

Are the battery cables tight and clean? If you are able to move them, they need to be tightened.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link. The title indicates "Everything Goes Out." However, it discusses the importance of the terminal connections.

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

Since it starts with a jump or when you wiggle the wires, I suspect a corrosion problem, or they just aren't tight enough. If that isn't the case, we need to check the actual terminal wires to make sure they are in good condition. Something isn't making good contact.

Let me know. Also, if the link doesn't help, take a few pictures of the battery and its connections and upload them for me to see.

Take care,

Joe

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Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 AT 12:59 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

It sounds like the battery cables are dirty/loose or the battery is no good.

here are two guides to help us fix the problem:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please go over these guides and I have included how to change the battery out in case you need it as well. Check out the images (below). Let us know what you find.

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Image (Click to make bigger)