Non-starting... Again., Just venting. Options

[john77]

Man, I hate electrical problems. A month ago on the way to auto x my car died in a Carl's Jr parking lot. Turned the key, nothing, but the lights and all auxiliary stuff worked fine. I hadn't even stopped to get food, so it wasn't like the car was protesting against my eating habits. After posting on here, I bump started it and carried on with my day, and apart from having to bump start it again after tech inspection (not embarrassing at all) it ran fine for the rest of the day.

I get up the next morning and go to start it and the same thing happens. So I take it to a local shop here in LA and pay $$$ to be told I need a new battery, the old one won't hold enough of a charge to start the car. So I get a new one and the car runs fine for the next 3 weeks.

Fast forward to this morning at cars and coffee and I get back in my car after 2.5hrs to find it's happening again. The fuel pump's going, the lights come on, but the starter is doing nada. Luckily it was right at the end so I pushed it across the empty lot and bumped it again.

I have a list of stuff to check that was suggested on my original post a month ago, but just wanted to blow off some steam. I get it that the shop diagnosed the first problem in the chain, fixed it and as the car started that was that, but, damn it.... f**k you electrical problems!!!!

[Dave_Darling]

The Dreaded Seatbelt Interlock was only present on 74 and some 75 cars. Your 73 doesn't have it.

How's the battery? Is it flat? What's the voltage across the battery posts themselves with the engine off? (Ignore the built-in voltmeter; it is useless for this check.) If you're seeing less than about 12.6V, the battery is not fully charged and you have a charging system problem.

--DD

[john77]

The Dreaded Seatbelt Interlock was only present on 74 and some 75 cars. Your 73 doesn't have it.

How's the battery? Is it flat? What's the voltage across the battery posts themselves with the engine off? (Ignore the built-in voltmeter; it is useless for this check.) If you're seeing less than about 12.6V, the battery is not fully charged and you have a charging system problem.

--DD

Been busy on a job but gave the battery a quick check when I got back tonight. It's measuring 12.6V with the ignition off. Hopefully get a chance to start checking through things on Saturday.

[poorsche914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Same symptoms with mine (a 2.0 D-jet)
Thought it was the battery and/or slow drain but after being away for two weeks, car fired right up. Made a stop, and wouldn't start.

I can go several weeks like this and then, suddenly, it will crank every time for days or weeks. And then back to non-start (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I just make sure I always park on an incline (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[john77]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Same symptoms with mine (a 2.0 D-jet)
Thought it was the battery and/or slow drain but after being away for two weeks, car fired right up. Made a stop, and wouldn't start.

I can go several weeks like this and then, suddenly, it will crank every time for days or weeks. And then back to non-start (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I just make sure I always park on an incline (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Haha, sounds like a good plan. I know this is going to drive me nuts trying to figure it out.