A/C Control Head Counts Down From 30

[jcwren]

After disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, when the ignition is first turned on, the A/C control head counts down from 9 (I think), and then proceeds to count down from 30. I swear I've seen a thread about that before, but 15 minutes of Googling didn't turn up anything. Anyone know what it's little brain is doing?

Had a weird one to go with that. Replaced the starter, started the car, let it idle for 10 or 15 minutes. I then went to take it for a test drive. Backed out about 20 feet, put it in gear, moved forward about 30 feet and then it just completely shutdown. Trying to start it again resulted in the solenoid clicking, but the starter not spinning. Tried it a minute later, and it started. Drove it around (feeling paranoid as all get-out) for about 6 miles, didn't die again.

Battery terminal connections are freshly scrubbed and snugged. The way it dies, I'd really have to suspect that the battery was shorting to ground, maybe through the starter cable (that and that solenoid cable are all I took loose from the starter when I replaced it). I wish I had the presence of mind to check the voltmeter and be a little more analytical, but I was also worrying about the dog getting loose (he was riding with me).

[HotZ28]

When the light is flashing, the controller is trying to recalibrate. What year is the vehicle? What were the symptoms that lead you to replacing the starter?

[jcwren]

It's a '93 Roadmaster Estate Wagon. Amd why did I replace the starter? Because I'm an idiot. Seriously.

It was running fine one day, and the next the solenoid was engaging, but the starter wasn't spinning. The battery was showing good voltage, headlights were bright, etc. Wouldn't start with a 60 amp charger/starter connected up, so I thought I had eliminated the battery as the culprit. Symptoms seemed consistent with the solenoid pulling in, but having bad contacts.

Took the old starter up to Autozone, and it spun up, but it did sound kind of rough, like worn brushes. I figured since it was out, and was $45, I may as well replace it, because I didn't want to go through that again. Replaced the starter, still didn't start. Took the battery up to Autozone, where it tested good.

Ultimately, I think I can safely say that corrosion on the positive battery terminal was the culprit. After cleaning it up, it started right up. I'd have felt really good about it all, except for where it just *totally* died that one time, like I mentioned above. It's started raining here, so I haven't had a chance to get back under it and inspect the positive cable going down to the starter. The only thing I can think of is a short somewhere on the cable going down to the starter. That would be consistent with a complete and sudden death like that. Once the short burned itself out, it would be OK. As if maybe the edge of one of the sheet metal heat shields rubbed through a little bit, maybe.

I used to work on cars all the time 20 years ago. Generally I avoid it now, so I think I've lost some of my mojo. As someone with a lot of electrical experience, I feel pretty stupid for not checking the battery connections. There was never a sign of hard starting, just went from running fine one day to not starting the next. Usually you get some early warning, like slow turnovers, dim headlights, etc.