[kosmo]

Hello,

Yesterday, I took my SLS (1994, 130,000miles) for a long distance ride. In the morning, it started as usual with no problem at all. After 200km, I stopped the car for a snack. When I came back, it didn't want to start. In fact, when I tried to start, there were no "juice" at all like the battery was disconnected. However, when I stopped trying to start and left the key in ignition (position "on"), all accessories worked.

I tried to boost the car (the DIC indicated 13.3 volts) and again as soon as I tried to start, the current disappeared. I also checked the cables attached to the battery (everything seems OK), I tried with my another key ignition and nothing.

Do have any idea what is the problem?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[DBA-One]

I had something like this happen this morning. However, it was due to my stupidity. I stopped to get gas but when I turned it off I forgot to put it in park. I didn't bother to take the key out because I wasn't leaving the car alone. I'm so used to a 5spd I just didn't think about it. When I turned the key the car behaved like it had total electrical failure. After a minute or two I realized what I had done! I've only had the car a few days.

 

[JC316]

It is probably a loose battery cable, a corroded battery cable, or a bad ground. Check you battery terminals and make sure that they are tight. The car will act just like that if you have a looses cable. BE CAREFUL if you use a wrench on the positive side of the battery, there isn't much room and if you touch metal with the wrench you are going to have a spark show.

 

[Loud 93 STS]

It could be the starter maybe. Mine did something like that when it went bad. Somehow I nursed mine along for like a year though. Other than that it could be a bad gound like mentioned earlier. On the battery thing, the way to avoid the spark show is to disconnect the negative before touching the positive. Good luck!

 

[growe3]

If your headlights turn on, bright indicating good battery power, you may have a blown fuse.

Check the trunk fuse box, I think the one you need to check is labled IGN, check all fuses to be sure.

-George

 

[delzy]

My 95 SLS has exhibits a similar symptom occasionally. In my case, the Park/Neutral Switch has a dead spot which requires jiggling the shifter. Then it works fine.

 

[olegk]

Had almost exactly the same thing happen to me. Taking the cable attached the the negative on the battery and really shaking it around fixed it