2001 Montana power loss/will not turn over

[dzlful]

Total power loss...gradually. Here are the details. Everything was working fine. Went to start the car and it would not turn over. The dashboard lights were intermittent then stopped working. The ignition was left in the on position and while feeding kids, the dashboard lights came back on and other accessories began working. Unfortunately, the car would still not turn over and the lights and all accessories died again. Tried jumping it and that helped "relight" the dashboard lights but nothing else would work (radio, heat, locks). Towed it home and let it sit overnight. Tried to jump it again today and the only indication of power was an occasional "service engine soon" light. This light would come on in two ignition positions....it would flicker as you first turn the switch and then stay on if you held the ignition switch all the way forward.

I have removed and tested the battery...it is fully charged and was nearly fully charged when I put it on the charger. I have checked the IGN fuses, which I am assuming are related to the ignition in some capacity.

I plan to try additional diagnosis tomorrow but any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[de3jr88]

I don't claim to be a mechanic, but its obvious that you have an electrical issue. My suggestion based on my previous experience is that you either have an ignition/starter issue, or possibly a PCM problem which may have locked out your ignition(assuming you have the PK3 system). If your battery and battery connections are good, this is where I would be investigating next.

 

[Steelcity]

from my experience it is hard to jump these vans cause you put your positive cable on the little terminal on top which I think does not provide enough area for the amps to flow.For now try a fully charged battery and check fusses ?? Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Blatz69]

2003 Montana battery light coming on and lights on cluster flashing

My van was running perfectly normal, and went to the store, came out, started it up and the battery light came on, didn't stay on though. I shut it off again, started it back up, and everything was fine. As i started to drive down the road, it lost power, and then all the dashlights went out. The RPM gage was out, the speedometer said I was driving 20 (which I was going approx 70) the power windows wouldnt work. Shut if off, let it sit for a couple days thinking maybe It was too wet from all the rain. That didn't help. I changed the battery and alternator, still no difference. It runs for a few seconds and then the battery light turns back on, and the lights all flash.

Does anyone have an idea what would be going on here?? Please let me know, thanks!

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[Steelcity]

My first guess would of been the alternator ,however you changed it,how about the connections at the battery ? Also check the ground connections ,maybe frayed and corroded connections. Unless there is something causing a short ? Starter ? Good luck and keep us posted .