2001 SE1 starting/electrical issues

[Firebreak]

Greetings,

I posted in another thread, but in thinking about it my problem seems different so I thought I would start my own. Problems started a day ago when the car wouldn't start after my brother got off work. I really don't know the details of that since I wasn't there, but I know he got a boost and drove it home. (Didn't bother to tell me he had an issue)

Since that time, I've used the car without issue, but this morning I was heading off for work, I went to start it and it just clicked once or twice, then nothing. After that it was completely dead, no click no lights on the dash, nothing. Even the button to lock the doors didn't work, had to lock each door manually. This is when I asked my brother if he had any issues and he reluctantly told me. For all I know it may have happened other times, but he wouldn't say so because he probably thinks I'll blame him and not let him use it anymore.

It just strikes me as odd that the battery can go from starting with full power one day, to so dead it can't even power that little security light on the sound system. Here are a couple other things that may have something or nothing to do with this:

1) Sometimes if it's damp out, the car hesitates, spits and sputters, but it's still driveable and clears up after the car warms up. (Only happened 3 times) I was told it could be water in the gas line, and that fuel antifreeze would sop it up. However I tried that and it happened again. (Before I put more gas in)

2) The click that the blinker makes goes constantly. When the blinkers are on it works perfectly, the blinkers work and are timed correctly. When the blinkers are off, it clicks constantly with an irregular pattern. I was told this happens when a light is burned out, but I checked them all thoroughly and had them inspected as well and there is no burned out light.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Today is Sunday and tomorrow is a holiday. There are no repair shops open until Tuesday where I am, so all I can do is learn what I can before I can finally take it in.

The other thread I posted in had similar issues with the blinker and the not starting. For them it was a loose cable, but I checked everything and could not find anything loose.

Chris

[grfnkl]

I had this same issue about 2 months back... it came out to be the battery cables. My cables weren't making a strong connection to the battery which caused my car to have full power to dead in a matter of a second. This also caused my car to have several other electrical issues such as my blinker clicking when it wasn't even on. So hopefully this gives you a direction you can look into. Good luck

[Firebreak]

Thanks for the reply, I just went out to check the battery cables. (Can't believe I didn't check that before, duh) They seem secure, I can't move them at all. Can the connection still be bad in that case? Would removing them and reconnecting possibly fix it? The don't seem "loose" is what I mean. I'm a total dimwit when it comes to mechanics, to do this I can just unscrew the bolts right? (Just making sure I don't cause any harm)

Chris

[Firebreak]

I've decided not to try and reseat anything, but I had another look this morning and the battery cables seem to be 100% secure. Is it still possible to be a bad connection or does this mean it's probably the alternator?

Chris

[xeroinfinity]

your cables can be secure/tight,
but underneath they could be corroded,
not letting it make a good enough connection.

That blinker, if its clicking continuously thier is a recall on some of these parts.

If the alternator was bad it wouldnt charge the battery.
Most automotive parts stores can test that alternator for you for free.

[Firebreak]

Ok, sounds like it should be a problem easily diagnosed when I take it in. That makes me feel a bit better. Will take it in tomorrow and see what happens. It sure sucks not having a car for a few days. It's a 10 minute drive to work, yet it took me an hour and 40 minutes to get there this morning taking the bus, lol.

[Firebreak]

One last question: How can I check for recalls on my car, someone above mentioned the blinker thing might be a recall

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Firebreak

One last question: How can I check for recalls on my car, someone above mentioned the blinker thing might be a recall

Their is a few places you can check for recalls.
Search down on This page,
and you'll find your year of grand am.

[Firebreak]

Hi all,

Just an update so you can all see what my issue was, it was just the battery, it was completely dead and wouldn't hold a charge. The cables and alternator were ok.

I doubt this will have gotten rid of the blinker click, but I will check in to that recall and see if it's because of that.

Chris

[grfnkl]

the battery would be a good reason why you were having troubles. for the recalls, you can also go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov. First though see if the problem persists still, mine went away after a new battery and adj of the cables. good luck