Hi Guys,

I've recently purchased a 1991 V6 Firebird, which has started no problem each time I've used it, well until this morning and it had been frosty here in the UK!

All the usual ignition lights came on and it went to turnover then everything went off. I tried again and this time no ignition lights either! I tried putting the parking/side lights on and nothing! :-(

I'm thinking that battery has died but I measured the voltage and it said 12.3 volts, I even tried to jump start it with my other car but the ignition lights didn't come on then either!

Can anyone tell me if it's the battery or some other electrical fault, as this is the first time I've owned a US car?

Thanks guys, appreciated.

Ian - UK

 

I guess you'll have to get under the car and check the wires coming off the big post on the starter. The wires and the fusible links on them are prone to corroding off after so many years.

 

Turn your lights on and then try and start the car. If the lights dim badly, it is your battery that is the problem. It either is low on charge or a bad cell, etc. Easy to remove and have it checked out. I beleive batteries can read good voltage until you put a load on them.

 

Make sure the battery cables aren't corroded at the battery too. I know it sounds simple, but it seems pretty common. Sometimes they will get gunked up with white powdery stuff, which a wire brush will take right off.

 

I wouldn't listen to them my car will do this every so often just disconnect and reconnect your batteries negative/ ground terminal and reconnect it before you try anything else.

 

 

CHECK your battery connections make sure they are TIGHT

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your help and I'm pleased to say I've managed to figure it out but before I read the last guys post! :-) The +ve terminal while fixed ok on the battery was actually loose and corroded at the eyelet!

Thanks again,

Ian