1992 Formula loses all power when starting

Hi All,
this just started happening a few days ago.
I go to turn on the engine it gets out one crank, then power dies to everything.
After a while (can't say how long) power will come back to everything, but as soon as I crank it, pop, power goes out like a light switch was flipped.

It isn't the battery; when I turn the key to "On" the interior lights, antenna, fuel pump, radio, etc. are all getting plenty of power.
Even that first crank sounds like plenty of power is getting to the starter.

Then nothing. After that crank, there is no power to anything, no interior lights, no dash lights, no radio...nothing.
Than, after a while it will all come back on so we can do it all over again.

I had been having problems with the solenoid on the starter, but that would just take a few turns of the key before it would crank.

Does this sound like a relay problem?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

1992 Firebird Formula 305 TBI Automatic

There is no one relay that will kill all power to the vehicle. There are however 2 or 3 fuseable links down at/near the starter that will do exactly what you describe. They may not be burned completely through but when you get the high current draw of starting they over heat and won't pass any electricity. They are in the harness down by the starter and usually look like a big black pill.

My jeep did the exact same thing...a couple times now. I too ruled out the battery..however check the connections and make sure they arent corroded. My jeep got corroded and it did the same thing...even wierder one time it would only power up the heater fan, went and wiggled on the terminal, it was loose, so i tightened it and it worked. so check that

it is probably a bad battery cable or connecton if you clean the cable at the battery and it doesnt work try checkig at starter it may be loose or dirty

I had the same problem had to replace the battery cable ends. And that fixed it. Even if they look ok. Mine looked like new but I changed them anyway and it did fix the problem.


My 97 chevy truck shut down while I was driving, just as if you turned out the lights. I even had to reprogram the radio it too was the cable ends. and they also looked good with no corosion

Add another opinion for a bad connection at or from the battery cables.

Sounds like a bad cables, bad battery or a loose ground wire to me as well. I would get under the car and check the block ground from the battery cable if all else fails. I had a similiar problem as well on my Firebird and it ended up being a loose negative cable.