no power/ no done light/ no dash lights/

[orogle]

2001 grand am -

@ Last week I went to start the car, the dome light wasn't on, turning the key produced no dash lights and the car wouldn't start.
@ put on the multimeter to test voltage on the battery and it was fully charged.
@ got out of car went into house
@ went back to garage, the door was locked so unlocked door and when I opened it the dome light was on, the dash lights lit when turned the key and it started.

went to the store a few days later and left the car unlocked
and when I tried to start the car once again no power.
Got out of the car and locked and unlocked the door with the key because I had no idea of what to do and no power still.
Turned the headlight switch and had headlights and then dash lights and it started. I was surprised when the headlights came on.
no security light flashing either time, just no power.

orogle

 

[5speed406]

There is something in the main power circuit that will open up if any electrical draw is on for longer than 10 - 15 minutes to prevent a battery run down condition. Either something is drawing power causing this to activate or the device itself is going bad.

 

[orogle]

There is something in the main power circuit that will open up if any electrical draw is on for longer than 10 - 15 minutes to prevent a battery run down condition. Either something is drawing power causing this to activate or the device itself is going bad.

interesting reply
something I will have to check on for sure. Something definitely stopped the power from coming on.

wondering about the second time I had the problem. Was only in a store long enough to get a cup of coffee and once again there was no power. Even when I locked/unlocked the door and sat down, still no dome light and wouldn't start.

Then I remember turning the headlight switch and I had headlights and then dashlights and it started.

I bypassed the passlock with a 2.2k kohm resistor and a terminal strip so that can't ever cause me a problem.

 

[klturi421]

I am having the same problem, how would we go about tracking down a power drain?

Everytime I get out of the car I ensure that everything is off, a/c, radio, dome, dash and head lights. Yet I can get out of the car for 5 minutes and then it just dies on me.

______________________________

 

[melsg5]

Check for a high amperage power drain after everything shuts down.

 

[klturi421]

Would using the multimeter as you have posted on the other thread help with finding the high amperage drain? How would this be tracked down?

 

[melsg5]

I you find a drain, you then pull fuses until the drain goes away. You then know which circuit is causing the drain. First though establish your alternaor is working correctly and that the drive belt is not loose.

 

[klturi421]

Just out of curiousity, wouldnt the alternator going out the car die while driving?

I had a Blazer's alternator go out on me while I was driving. Battery of course lasted for a bout 20 minutes or so, but I always thought the alternator going out would not let the car run even after getting a jump, which I have been able to do, dunno just thoughts. And of course two different vehicles.

______________________________

 

[melsg5]

Depends on what output the alternator has and the condition of the battery. A fresh battery will be more tolerant of an alternator not putting out enough, assuming it's more than zero volts, than a older one.

 

[klturi421]

I think I may have found my problem possibly. I have to test it out a couple more times though. I went to start my car and initially it wouldnt do anything, no crank but the dash lights and radio would come on. I let it sit in ACC for a few seconds and then cranked it and it fired right up. I'll report back my findings later today once I have more info. If necessary I will be testing the battery and alternator as well.

 

[melsg5]

You may have a bad ignition switch if you cannt find any drain.