Dead on shutdown, won't start. help?

[Roads.zx]

I bought a new battery because car wouldn't start and needed a jump.

Two days later I park and turn off the car and all the electronics go dead. Antenna doesn't retract, door locks are dead, radio dead, absolutely nothing works in any key position; and of course the car won't start.. no sounds.. nothing. I get a jump start and the car starts right up ! Drive home and car starts fine next morning.

I'm guessing a short? Transmission lock out..? brake pedal...? Surely the terminal contacts are clean.

Anyone heard of this ? 1995 5SFE sedan.

Thanks

[96paseo]

Hi and welcome to the forum. First, check to make sure your battery terminals are tight an free of corrosion. Next, you need to check your ground wires. Follow the wires coming off the negative battery terminal. Check for corrosion where they bolt to the engine and body. Lastly, check the connections to your starter. There are two red wires an one black. if all those check out fine, you may be having an issue with the ignition relay.

[Roads.zx]

Thanks 96paseo. I was beginning to think about the negative wire as well; but, here's a separate yet related question: (1995 Camry 5SFE)

I think about replacing the negative battery cable and call the local dealership to see if they had one in stock. The dealer tells me that as far as he could tell, the negative battery cable is a component of the engine wire harness. You'd have to buy the entire harness if you didn't want to cut and splice ! Can this be true?

The salesman asked me about my problem, and said that I should probably try replacing the cable end. He said he thought the cable would still be good after 14 years. Since the battery was freshly installed, I'll trace down and clean the connections as you suggested and change the cable end for good measure. Gotta be cheaper than buying a harness.

I wish I could find a good image that depicts the battery cables and their respective connect points.

Thanks

[hill8570]

I'd say 96paseo has you on the right track. When your car was jumped, was it done the "safe" way (positive on battery terminal, negative to some good ground on frame), or the "lazy" way (both cables connected to the battery terminals). If the first, then that really points in the direction of a bad connector on the negative battery terminal.

[96paseo]

I wish I could find a good image that depicts the battery cables and their respective connect points.

Ask and ye shall receive. The dealer is correct about the negative battery terminal being part of the wiring harness. I wouldn't recommend cutting and splicing a new one in unless its your very last option. Remove your negative battery terminal before attempting to service starter connections!



Here are the connections for the starter. These are near the transmission dipstick tube (if you have an automatic). Check around the nut (10mm) for corrosion before removing to clean. Also pull the connector above it and inspect for corrosion. Clean with a wirebrush and apply di-electric grease before re-installing.



There are two ground wires below your igniter and air filter box. One of the wires runs to the transmission and the other to the motor hook near the valve cover.



There are two ground wires near your upper timing cover. One goes down behind the motor mount and the other goes to the opposing motor hook near the valve cover.


Check all these areas and remove and inspect your battery terminals. Hope this helps.

[Roads.zx]

Thanks 96paseo. Great photos !