97 Trans Port has no power (12V)

[DanKSmith]

I drove it into the gas station - ran fine the whole time. Turned the engine off. Got in and turned the key - nothing; no clicks, no grinds, no power whatsoever. No horn or dashboard lights. No headlights or dome lights. EVERYTHING is dead. Jiggled the key. Jiggled the PRINDL. Kept my foot on the brake. Nothing.

Pushed it to a parking spot and had the wife to pick me up (it was late at night and COLD). So now I am ready to go back and troubleshoot. I read the owners manual and there is no Main Fuse or Breaker that would trip/break to stop ALL the power. That leads me to the battery. A completely dead battery or loose battery cable is the only thing I can think of to explain it but - how can a cable loosen while it is standing still. Remember, I drove in to the gas pump and while it was at rest and with the engine off, something happened and it died. I can understand a cable breaking loose while running over railroad tracks - but while at rest? Not likely.

I have never had a battery to die 'catastrophically' before. They just weaken and refuse to crank fully. Never even heard of a battery just 'dying' like that.

I read in the manual that there is an anti-theft deterrant, the fuel pump will NOT work. The manual doesn't say anything about it shutting down the power to everything. Which is stupid because how would the actual owner restart it? So that doesn't make sense either.

Anyhow, I am leaving now to examine the cables and to jump it. I assume that this WILL NOT WORK and ask "What would the next logical thing be that is wrong?" I am guessing the computer (which is beyond my skills to replace) but that is just a guess. Just cannot figure a way for ALL the power to die.

Any thoughts anyone? I would hate to have to tow it clear back to the dealer and have to pay both the high tow and high dealer fees.

[ciras3]

Hi,

I have had this same problem before. Drove my car home after work, and the next morning.. no power, no interior lights, nothing. It turned out to be a bad ground where the negative battery cable connects to the engine block. I think you are on the right path. Check the battery cables at the battery that they are clean and tight, and then check where the negative battery cable connects to the block.

My .02

C. Smith

[Dieseljeep]

I concur with ciras3 as I had an identical problem with my 98 the terminals corroded and one was stripped (where the wire attaches to the side post.)

I bought a new battery(biggest size and CCA money could buy) as the threads were stripped.Replaced both battery ends while I was in there sealed them with battery terminal protector (paint type stuff).

After I had tested the alternator and found that it was cooked due to bad connections .I was running on direct battery voltage,so drove to the parts store and got the new alt and installed it then and there as tools were in the back.Now everything was all good and no more It made a difference in the way the electrical stuff ran.

[DanKSmith]

Thanks everyone for taking your time to reply. The problem is FIXED. I went back to my abandoned car with my wife and 2nd car and ran jumper cables between the two. (It was still completely dead. Letting it sit overnight didn't result in a miracle.) After making the connections, my first good sign was seeing the dome light come on after opening the driver's side door.

It then turned over and started fine. That told me everything BUT the battery was working, since the spark plugs were firing off of the alternator. So, I went and had the battery checked and replaced. The guys at Sams told me that these 'catastrophic' failures DO occur and that it is not uncommon. They could not tell me WHY they occur - internal short between two cells or whatever. So, I am delighted that it was a relatively inexpensive fix ($52 for a new battery installed) when I had feared that something major had happened. Sometimes you just have to get lucky!

[ciras3]

I'm glad it worked out for you. I'll have to remember that one as I've never heard of a battery taking a dump like that right after the car was running. Are you sure something else didn't cause the battery to short out and you won't have the same problem ? What type was the battery you replaced ?

C. Smith