No start tonight

[KAL7467]

OK here is the deal...was at walmart this evening after driving about 15 miles on the hwy and my car starting up great to begin this journey. when I got out of walmart about 1 to 1 and a half hours later my car would not start no turning over at all...at first a little click but then nothing. I got a jump and let the car sit but didn't give it gas and in a few minutes it shut off again. so then I got another jump and it cranked right up and I drove home like a bat out of hell with my headlights on and all and it was fine. turned car off in driveway and tried to restart and we are back to nothing going on. now at first I thought it was just a bad battery because the other day my glove box light stayed on all day and killed it, so I charged the battery for a bit at work. and it has worked fine since then. (the battery was purchased by the PO in 2009 with all new terminals and such just for reference) since it died after the first jump does that make it more of a alternator not charging the battery problem than just a dead battery problem? any suggestions or am I just a dumb arse and just looking at a simple dead battery ... was going to upgrade to a 280zx alternator in the near future so may do that tomorrow anyway...thanks in advance

[KAL7467]

let me add that the ammeter is at dead center and all the lights interior and exterior seem to be as bright as they should be which is strange to me...wish i had my multimeter but it is at my shop so that will have to wait a few hours need some sleep...

[Gary in NJ]

It could be:

1) A poor or corroded connection at the battery, or

2) A bad cell in the battery

Number 1 requires a little maintenance. Number 2 requires a new battery.

[SteveJ]

Jamie, do you need me to drop by on Saturday to give your electrical system the once-over?

[KAL7467]

Steve that would be awesome and earn you lunch and beer I called your buddys shop on Wednesday and left a message but didn't get a call back prob because he has family stuff going on this weekend...pm or call me at 7702941519....off to advanced auto to get battery tested and buy a ZX alternator...

[SteveJ]

Just be sure to carefully follow the modifications to jumper out the voltage regulator. You'll probably need to go to Radio Shack, too, to get a diode to add to the circuit. I'll give you a call after I run some errands.

[KAL7467]

well went to auto zone and the battery checked fine...decided it may be a connection between ignition switch and starter or the starter solenoid. so I ordered the anew starter with solenoid for cheaper than solenoid alone...and will put all new connections on the system when I switch it out Sunday. on a side note ofcorse now it is starting fine...just my luck

[FastWoman]

You're throwing quite a few new parts at this issue! A better approach might be to diagnose the problem thoroughly when the system is acting up. When you can't start, measure your battery voltage with a multimeter. Is it low? If so, it might be the battery, alternator, or voltage regulator. Jump-start, and test further.

If your voltage is good, then what happens if you jump a small wire directly from your battery to the little terminal on your solenoid? Does the starter crank? If so, then your starter is good, and the problem is somewhere in the wiring.

When your engine runs, is your voltage up to maybe 14.5 V? If not, it might be the alternator. Keep a loose eye on your ammeter to see if you unexplainably go into discharge. If you find alternator problems, it could either be your alternator or the wiring from the alternator. Look for corrosion.

Also look for corrosion beneath the insulation on the secondary wire coming off of your pos battery post, and look for a crumbly fusible link.

Going through my own car, after I purchased it, I did find a number of electrical problems. I did have to replace the alternator because of a bad regulator (high voltage), but otherwise I had about a half dozen issues with the wiring -- all of them from corrosion.

[KAL7467]

I definitely hear you I am kind of just replacing a lot of stuff that might not be needed but the electric dizzy and coil were ordered before this problem ...only by a few hours though ...and the ZX alternator was next on my list...as for the starter it looks cruddy and is only 30 bucks so might as well...as for connections all will be replaced when I replace any and all of these and other parts...thanks all for the input I will update when Figure this out or just plain make it stop...ehh start

[SteveJ]

Jamie, I left you a voicemail. Call me back or PM me.

[KAL7467]

called you back left a message...