1994 Grand Prix won't start, loss of 12V power

[danpoet]

My 1994 Grand Prix SE won't start at times. When the key is turned to start, nothing happens! Also, I have a plug in LCD voltmeter in the cigarette lighter, and it read LoVolts. I thought it might have been the ignition switch security feature as I had seen the Security light come on once or twice. I replaced the switch, and thought the problem was licked, and simultaneously, replaced a stripped ground bolt to the engine found during the starter inspection. It was replaced at the same time(factory screwup). It acts normal most of the time, but occasionally, I would get a grunt out of the starter, and it would start. The Lo Volt LCD indicator says the same thing too(instead of 12.6V). Yesterday, it wouldn't start at all, and when I tried to jump it off from another vehicle using the positive battery post, nothing happened, and the Voltmeter still read lo volts. When i tried to jump it from the accessory post by the firewall, the voltmeter jumped to 13.9 Volts, and I was able to start the vehicle. After it starts, the meter reads 13.9 to 14.7 Volts. Also, I noticed that the underhood lamp was off, until I jumped from the accessory post, and it came back on. What could be causing a complete loss of 12 Volts to the ignition switch, and 12V accessory outlet? Thanks!

[mon03]

I don't know if this helps, but..
i have a 94 GP SE as well, and i've been having starting problems too- it clicks, but doesn't start. after several tries, it eventually starts. pretty sure (in my case) it's a problem with the starter.. probly needs to be replaced. then recently after i replaced the battery terminals (they were bad), it didn't start at all (not even clicking). that was because the battery terminals weren't properly connected.
I'm sure you know a lot more about cars than I do, and I dont know if I helped any, but I thought i'd post anyway since i had kind of a similar problem.

[GTP Dad]

Have you thought about replacing the positive and negative cables from the battery. If you haven't done this with the age of your car you may find that this is causing the low voltage problems. The cables may look good on the outside but they can go bad due to vibration and just general deterioration from use. I am not sure if this will help but it is certainly one option that won't cost a lot of money and may actually help.

[danpoet]

Originally Posted by mon03

I don't know if this helps, but..
i have a 94 GP SE as well, and i've been having starting problems too- it clicks, but doesn't start. after several tries, it eventually starts. pretty sure (in my case) it's a problem with the starter.. probly needs to be replaced. then recently after i replaced the battery terminals (they were bad), it didn't start at all (not even clicking). that was because the battery terminals weren't properly connected.
I'm sure you know a lot more about cars than I do, and I dont know if I helped any, but I thought i'd post anyway since i had kind of a similar problem.

I just replaced the battery about a month ago, and cleaned both positive and negative terminals, applied the red sealant to the terminals, and used the felt washers under the terminals to protect them. There was a loose ground bolt, that was replaced about the same time.

[danpoet]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Have you thought about replacing the positive and negative cables from the battery. If you haven't done this with the age of your car you may find that this is causing the low voltage problems. The cables may look good on the outside but they can go bad due to vibration and just general deterioration from use. I am not sure if this will help but it is certainly one option that won't cost a lot of money and may actually help.

It probably has something to do with the positive terminal. When I tried to jump it off from another car, nothing happened when I hooked it to the battery, and my meter showed Lo Volts... But, when I hooked it to the accessory post, my meter showed 13.9 V from the other car, and it started. It probably is the positive cable.......

[michelq]

Originally Posted by danpoet

It probably has something to do with the positive terminal. When I tried to jump it off from another car, nothing happened when I hooked it to the battery, and my meter showed Lo Volts... But, when I hooked it to the accessory post, my meter showed 13.9 V from the other car, and it started. It probably is the positive cable.......

there is a jump start post at left side make sure is tight, that is your power suply to the system

[danpoet]

Originally Posted by michelq

there is a jump start post at left side make sure is tight, that is your power suply to the system

Thanks. It's tight on the top side of the accessory post, but I haven't checked under the post to see if it is corroded. What kindof connection is it under the post that links it to the battery?

[danpoet]

Originally Posted by danpoet

Thanks. It's tight on the top side of the accessory post, but I haven't checked under the post to see if it is corroded. What kindof connection is it under the post that links it to the battery?

Problem solved! I took the connections loose from the battery, and checked it. I read 11.7 Volts, and all cells read dead. I didn't suspect the battery as it is only 2 months old, and is a heavy duty 3 year battery from Walmart. I replaced the battery and checked the cable to the accessory post, and it was good. However, upon reinstalling the cable to the positive post, I found the connector was stripped. Compounding this problem was the felt anticorrosion washer I had installed under the connector seemed to be keeping it from making good contact with the side post of the battery itself. I removed the felt washer, and installed a new replacement post from AutoZone. I haven't had any starting problems yet since doing this a couple of days ago.