SDSG

I guess I'll start from the beginning on this issue. About 8 months ago or so, sometimes my car would not start, I would put the key in, and everything would come on, but once I attempted to start it everything would cut off. Nothing electrical would come on at all. I would have to disconnect the battery, wait a bit, and connect it and it would usually be fine after that. I soon (or so I thought) found the ground wire loose and after I redid the wiring the problem went away.

Now about 2 months ago it started again. Redoing the wiring didn't help this time, but I was always able to disconnect the battery, reconnect it and it would start up fine. Sometimes I would have to disconnect it multiple times to get it to start. Then...it finally just kind of stopped and didn't happen anymore.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve, I'm on my way to visit the parents about 110 miles away, and about 80 miles in on the highway (distance on the car constantly being on may or not have to do with it) while I'm driving everything electrical shut off but instantly came back on (Speedometer, RPM gauge turned to zero, etc), lasted literally a second, engine was still on though. This continued to happen every minute or so, it happened over 20 times. Then finally it happened again...and didn't turn back on so my car began to slow down as of course the gas pedal didn't do anything. About 10 seconds later it turned back on and I was able to make it home.

Now earlier today I was driving and I went to turn into a gas station and as I braked, the car just shut off. Would not turn back on/wouldn't turn over, not even a click or anything. Had it pushed and couldn't figure out the problem. Battery is brand new. As we were messing with it I noticed just after a minute as we pushed into a parking spot. I turn the headlights on and it wouldn't turn on but the wipers moved VERY slowly. And turning on the hazards wouldn't make the hazards go on, but the seatbeat light would blink along. It was extremely weird, the radio wouldn't turn on, just random things wouldn't turn on, or if turned on, something else was happening instead. We went to push start it to pop the clutch and that didn't work but as SOON as we brought it to a stop after trying to push start, the headlights came on, the radio turned on, and I was able to turn the car on NO PROBLEM at all.


So that's pretty much it at the moment. The car was running no problem, but I don't want to drive back to Tampa and halfway home the car stalls again. One big note, at the 2 months ago part, my car alarm stopped working, does not arm, lock, unlock, etc. It's a clifford alarm and I do not know the features of it as I bought it like this used already installed. It does seem ghetto rigged as you look under the dash and the wiring is all black taped and such. I checked for any loose wires and couldn't find any, thinking maybe it's a loose wire somewhere.

Could it be the Main relay? It's so weird that I don't just want to jump into something and spend money, so I thought I'd get a second opinion on this issue. Sorry for the wall of text, but I thought the more information the better.

zhillz

You can check the main relay but you have a major ground/short somewhere.

SDSG

That's what I figured at first, I just checked as much as possible and can't find anything, I know it can be hidden somewhere not easily accessible obviously, I'm just hoping I don't have the bring it to a shop . I guess I'd just have to keep looking for anything. I'm hoping it's something I can repair.

zhillz

I had a similiar problem on a car and I couldn't find it and was forced to take it to a shop. A WEEK and $350 later they fixed it, something inside the dash...

SDSG

That's my nightmare right there :/.....Not too worried about the time because I have another car I can borrow, but I'm pretty much flat broke

zhillz

All the time i spent chasing down wires and trying everything I could think of, I was willing to hand over blank checks! haha

SDSG

Hahaha, yeah, I know where you're coming from. I know if it comes down to it, if I have to hand it over to a shop, I'll at least breath a sigh of relief knowing I don't have to troubleshoot it myself anymore!

BoostedRacerDad

The problem is with the Clifford alarm system. Look for a bad ground on that. Check all the wiring. Im sure you can get free download online. Read other people having the same problem as you "Clifford alarm problem forum" Google

flatrex

^ +1 that's what I was thinking as soon as you mentioned the alarm.

SDSG

It's resolved!!! Was able to find one small loose ground wire going from the engine to chassis. With the car on I moved it and my car shut off with all electricity completely gone. Tightened it and nothing since! Also found out by looking at my alarm that whoever installed the Alarm put the valet switch in a stupid spot and I broke it with my foot without realizing it for all these months. Moved the switch location and wired it back up and my alarm is back up and running as well.

Thanks for the help/advice guys, I'm good to go.