Power Issues
Power Issues
Ok Guys i have one that has stumped me. I had a dead battery and alternator a few weeks back so i got a Red top Optima battery and the mechanics repleased my alternator. Now since then i have had a few power glitches such as when i am at a stop light for more than 2-3 minutes the cigaret lighter goes out. No power goes to it. If i unplug the adapter in the cigaret lighter and plug it back in it will work again( and i have tried multiple item and all do the same thing) for only a few minutes. But when i am driving i have no power issues. Now for the past few mornings i have had trouble starting my car. it would eventually start after holding the key to start for about 30 SLOW turns. When it does turn all of my settings on my radio are gone and the clock is back to 12:00. It is af if the battery died. But the battery is good. I had the battery and alternater tested and both passed. What could it be. 
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 13
From: Bowie, MD
Wonder if you could also answer my question?
Starting Issues in the morning (cold) 1989 5speed max 295,000 miles
*When i turn key to prime her i hear my fuel pump and i guess fuel filter(in the front)
*When i try to start her it sounds strong and sounds like its just about to fire up but seems like it has a lack of fuel....
If i try and start the car say mid day like when its hot out...it fires up with noo hassle.
Things I had done:
I have a pretty new battery” type"(titan)/new starter/had the fuel pump checked but not changed/new fuel filter/had a used ecu put in<--for a while it would start with no problem.../have not really change vacuum hoes...(maybe this could be it?)/ I use 20w-50 motor oil....(been using it since i got the car...have had no issues maybe i should go lower?)
Other then my starting issue i had a couple studs break off the exhaust manifold.
Tore it down and replace studs/gasket/manifold.
I hope this is enough Info on the matter.
Thanks For Responding. Peace N Love Max.org 4ever!
Starting Issues in the morning (cold) 1989 5speed max 295,000 miles
*When i turn key to prime her i hear my fuel pump and i guess fuel filter(in the front)
*When i try to start her it sounds strong and sounds like its just about to fire up but seems like it has a lack of fuel....
If i try and start the car say mid day like when its hot out...it fires up with noo hassle.
Things I had done:
I have a pretty new battery” type"(titan)/new starter/had the fuel pump checked but not changed/new fuel filter/had a used ecu put in<--for a while it would start with no problem.../have not really change vacuum hoes...(maybe this could be it?)/ I use 20w-50 motor oil....(been using it since i got the car...have had no issues maybe i should go lower?)
Other then my starting issue i had a couple studs break off the exhaust manifold.
Tore it down and replace studs/gasket/manifold.
I hope this is enough Info on the matter.
Thanks For Responding. Peace N Love Max.org 4ever!
Wonder if you could also answer my question?
Starting Issues in the morning (cold) 1989 5speed max 295,000 miles
*When i turn key to prime her i hear my fuel pump and i guess fuel filter(in the front)
*When i try to start her it sounds strong and sounds like its just about to fire up but seems like it has a lack of fuel....
If i try and start the car say mid day like when its hot out...it fires up with noo hassle.
Things I had done:
I have a pretty new battery” type"(titan)/new starter/had the fuel pump checked but not changed/new fuel filter/had a used ecu put in<--for a while it would start with no problem.../have not really change vacuum hoes...(maybe this could be it?)/ I use 20w-50 motor oil....(been using it since i got the car...have had no issues maybe i should go lower?)
Other then my starting issue i had a couple studs break off the exhaust manifold.
Tore it down and replace studs/gasket/manifold.
I hope this is enough Info on the matter.
Thanks For Responding. Peace N Love Max.org 4ever!
Starting Issues in the morning (cold) 1989 5speed max 295,000 miles
*When i turn key to prime her i hear my fuel pump and i guess fuel filter(in the front)
*When i try to start her it sounds strong and sounds like its just about to fire up but seems like it has a lack of fuel....
If i try and start the car say mid day like when its hot out...it fires up with noo hassle.
Things I had done:
I have a pretty new battery” type"(titan)/new starter/had the fuel pump checked but not changed/new fuel filter/had a used ecu put in<--for a while it would start with no problem.../have not really change vacuum hoes...(maybe this could be it?)/ I use 20w-50 motor oil....(been using it since i got the car...have had no issues maybe i should go lower?)
Other then my starting issue i had a couple studs break off the exhaust manifold.
Tore it down and replace studs/gasket/manifold.
I hope this is enough Info on the matter.
Thanks For Responding. Peace N Love Max.org 4ever!
a) yeah, check/replace the vacuum hoses. if they are cracked, look old, or spin on their nipples, replace 'em
b) try a lower oil (10w30 or so), with the next oil change
c) kinda curious about how the ecu swap made a difference for a while, but try unplugging the batt over night, reconnect, see if it starts okay (should kill the ecu settings)
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 13
From: Bowie, MD
Whooa Mad fast reply thanks.
I just googled the temp senor
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...+Beck%20Arnley
lol this part has been sitting in my glove compartment...I got the car back from having a new starter/Ecu put in and the temp senor was sitting on one of my seats...
So where does it go? Does it go somewhere by the spark plugs?
Thanks again.
I just googled the temp senor
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...+Beck%20Arnley
lol this part has been sitting in my glove compartment...I got the car back from having a new starter/Ecu put in and the temp senor was sitting on one of my seats...
So where does it go? Does it go somewhere by the spark plugs?
Thanks again.
Whooa Mad fast reply thanks.
I just googled the temp senor
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...+Beck%20Arnley
lol this part has been sitting in my glove compartment...I got the car back from having a new starter/Ecu put in and the temp senor was sitting on one of my seats...
So where does it go? Does it go somewhere by the spark plugs?
Thanks again.
I just googled the temp senor
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...+Beck%20Arnley
lol this part has been sitting in my glove compartment...I got the car back from having a new starter/Ecu put in and the temp senor was sitting on one of my seats...
So where does it go? Does it go somewhere by the spark plugs?
Thanks again.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 13
From: Bowie, MD
Yeah i went out and saw it. It by the rear far left spark plug..just about beside one of the radiator hoes. Their is already one hooked up so ill change all the vac hoe's
Thanks for the help ill let you all know what comes of this.
Thanks for the help ill let you all know what comes of this.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 13
From: Bowie, MD
""c) kinda curious about how the ecu swap made a difference for a while, but try unplugging the batt over night, reconnect, see if it starts okay (should kill the ecu settings) ""
I'll try the battery thing...Man i dunno about the ecu. I took it to a local mechanic that only worked on 4th 3rd gen max's and thats what he said. He tried the fuel pump but it wasn' the problem when he replaced the ecu the car would fire up with no prob's.
I'll try the battery thing...Man i dunno about the ecu. I took it to a local mechanic that only worked on 4th 3rd gen max's and thats what he said. He tried the fuel pump but it wasn' the problem when he replaced the ecu the car would fire up with no prob's.
""c) kinda curious about how the ecu swap made a difference for a while, but try unplugging the batt over night, reconnect, see if it starts okay (should kill the ecu settings) ""
I'll try the battery thing...Man i dunno about the ecu. I took it to a local mechanic that only worked on 4th 3rd gen max's and thats what he said. He tried the fuel pump but it wasn' the problem when he replaced the ecu the car would fire up with no prob's.
I'll try the battery thing...Man i dunno about the ecu. I took it to a local mechanic that only worked on 4th 3rd gen max's and thats what he said. He tried the fuel pump but it wasn' the problem when he replaced the ecu the car would fire up with no prob's.
Is there any way you can get a voltmeter and measure voltage of your battery with engine off (before the first attempt to start in the morning) and with engine running at idle and around 2000 rpm? You have to measure directly on the battery posts. Currently it looks like your battery is undercharged but it is hard for me to come to any conclusion without additional data.
yea the sensor has to be there; your coolant will leak out without it! but sensor might be bad and in need of replacement.
now if he means that even if it's been left overnight and it starts up fine if at 2pm rather than 8am.... then you're right, that's purely ambient temperature. I think something like a cracked hose (fuel, vacuum, emissions hose, etc) that would expand/contract based on ambient temperature would then be a more likely issue. i don't think injector o-rings would be that finicky would they?
well i made the assumption that when he tries to start it mid-day, that is after he drove the car to work in the morning. so that the block would still be a little bit warm at lunchtime.
now if he means that even if it's been left overnight and it starts up fine if at 2pm rather than 8am.... then you're right, that's purely ambient temperature. I think something like a cracked hose (fuel, vacuum, emissions hose, etc) that would expand/contract based on ambient temperature would then be a more likely issue. i don't think injector o-rings would be that finicky would they?
now if he means that even if it's been left overnight and it starts up fine if at 2pm rather than 8am.... then you're right, that's purely ambient temperature. I think something like a cracked hose (fuel, vacuum, emissions hose, etc) that would expand/contract based on ambient temperature would then be a more likely issue. i don't think injector o-rings would be that finicky would they?
I'd start from distributor/ spark plug wires. Once upon a time I rented an old beater with similar ignition system and one rainy night it refused to start altogether. It wasn't wet under the hood - just overall humidity was high. Next day I went to a local auto parts store and bought a special spray. It did wonders - after spraying directly on the wires and letting it dry car fired right up. I could not believe myself that tiny layer of whatever could actually help.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 13
From: Bowie, MD
I'd start from distributor/ spark plug wires. Once upon a time I rented an old beater with similar ignition system and one rainy night it refused to start altogether. It wasn't wet under the hood - just overall humidity was high. Next day I went to a local auto parts store and bought a special spray. It did wonders - after spraying directly on the wires and letting it dry car fired right up. I could not believe myself that tiny layer of whatever could actually help.
My distributor is fairly new maybe about 5months old. When i got the car the original distributor had alot of junk and green residue where the connection was made. Also the spark plugs wires are new too about the same age as the distributor cap. I order them both at the same time. I have seen alot of the hoes on my car and they look very old, hard, and at some spots cracked. So i will change those today.
Is there any way you can get a voltmeter and measure voltage of your battery with engine off (before the first attempt to start in the morning) and with engine running at idle and around 2000 rpm? You have to measure directly on the battery posts. Currently it looks like your battery is undercharged but it is hard for me to come to any conclusion without additional data.
Hi Guys, OK so it has been a few days but i have dun some testing. The battery in the car while off in the morning read 12.2 volts. When i tried to start the car it wouldn't start right away again the same issue but eventually cot the car to start. So i tested the battery and it read 14.5 volts. and when i had my brother rev to 2000 rpm it went to 14.6 volts. So i thought the battery was fine what could it be. Well i thought why not take the battery into AutoZone (where i bought it) and have them check it with there machines. The battery failed. It wouldn't even give them a reading. I even noticed on the top of the battery there was a bump above one of the cells. This was not noticeable whil the battery is in the car because of the hold down bar for the batter. It appeared that one of the cells exploded. They gave me a new battery and have not had any more problems, as of yet. So i hope this solved my problem. I will report back in a few days to let you know how it turns out.
alternator is working as it is supposed to. It would be better if it was 14.4V at 2k rpm but oh well - your voltmeter can be also slightly off and this is built in into alt itself. You did right thing by checking battery at Autozone. I think, you'll be fine with the new one. Usually they don't even have enough power to start the car when one cell fails like in your case.
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