94 Supreme 3.1 starting issues

[danieljay]

I have a 94 Cutlass Supreme coupe w/ a 3.1. Several weeks ago it started having problems with low voltage (evidenced by low, fluctuating readings on the dash gauge and dimming headlights/loss of power).

At the same time, it started having problems with starting. Periodically, it would give a solenoid click but no start. Turning the key a few times would cause it to start, but never a slow start like normally happens with a low battery.

I took the alternator off and had it checked, it was bad, so I replaced the alternator and battery. After doing this, everything seemed fine. The voltage across both the alternator and battery was good when checked with a DMM, and the dash gauge looked good as well. However, the starting issue was still there. Sometimes it would take several key turns to start.

However, several nights ago the car went nuts. Looked like a short of some type. While driving down the freeway, the car turned off, started flashing the headlights and dash lights on and off, then died completely. No dome lights, no headlights, no ignition, nothing. Sat there breathing hard for a couple of minutes, tried again and the car started. Got off the freeway, took the backroads home (about 4 miles). The car did the same thing one more time, but started again. Now I've got the car home, and it's being a royal pain in the butt.

Here's what will happen. You open the door, the dome lights come on fine. Put the key in, you get the normal dinging to remind you to buckle up and whatnot. Turn the key forward, nothing. Everything turns off. The dinger, the dome lights, there's no electrical power to the car. The battery has about 12.2-12.4 volts the whole time, of course there's nothing across the alternator. I've looked at the alternator, there's nothing loose and no arc marks. I took it off and turned it by hand, there's no squeaking or rattling.

So, what I'm trying to figure out is what to try. I've put a new grounding strap on, in case it was that simple. I've looked at every fuse in the car (glovebox and passenger and driver underhood boxes). I haven't found the breaker box that is listed in the owners manual, but there doesn't appear to be anything starting-related in that box. Looking around the board it seems there are a couple of possibilities.

It could be a security system problem, but I'm not even sure the car has one. I bought it used in August, didn't receive a remote or anything like that. It doesn't have the special keys, just standard metal keys. There is a security light that comes on with all the other warning lights, but it doesn't flash or anything like that.

It could be some type of ignition switch problem, is there any way to test this before I install a new one?

It could theoretically be a starter or starter solenoid problem, but that doesn't make sense to me as the car gets no electrical power with the key turned. There's no arc marks or arc smell around the starter.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[maxwedge]

Classic symptoms of a bad pos or negative cable or connection ,focus on the pos cable now.

[danieljay]

Man, now I feel like a fool. Checked both battery cables, looked good, tight and all, no visible dings etc. Then I checked the remote terminal... it was maybe 1/16 of a turn loose, you could turn the connector but not wiggle it up and down. I tightened it just a little, everything is now copacetic. So thanks! The voltage is good everywhere, drove it for half an hour with no dimming etc.

Thanks a ton!!