95 Camry - Intermittent No Power/No start- Nothing

[MrCamryWagon]

Got this weird problem just started happening-
Put key in ignition and nothing- like a dead battery. No lights- silence.
Open hood, everything is connected fine. (Battery is new BTW)
Get back in car, turn key, turn key.... and eventually when it feels like it- it suddenly comes back to life, starts as if there was never a problem. A little disturbing since I don't want to be stuck somewhere and not have it start. At gas station today I had asked a guy for a jump,but got it started before he pulled up. When I told him the story he said it sounds like the computer- based on his own Camry experience.
Sound familiar anyone? This has happened 3 times in the last 2 weeks.

[71Corolla]

When the car seems dead, will the headlights for example work?

[MrCamryWagon]

No power, lights, nothing. It's exactly like a dead battery.
The open door light isn't even on, however, I know I'm back in business because the open door light is suddenly again shining bright as ever- but only because whatever the problem is goes away by itself.

[#2!]

Take your new battery back where you got it.
It's defective.

[MrCamryWagon]

defective battery? Really? It seemed fine all winter, got it back in October.
I'd be happy if that's all it is.

[71Corolla]

A defective battery? Not sure I've ever heard of that happening, at least not one that goes 100% dead one minute and works the next. Your issue sounds like a bad ground actually, or a bad positive terminal connection. When the car goes dead, open the the hood, leave the drivers door open, and tap or move the connections near the battery you should be able to track down where the intermittent problem is. (you'll hear the door chime when you get a connection).

Turning on the headlights will also be a good way to tell when the connection comes back.

[MrCamryWagon]

yes, it does go from 100% dead to like new in a second.
I'll check the connections, thanks.

[abew330]

i would have the battery tested.

you check all fuses? double check
doesn't happen very often but still possible ( refer to image below: )


what work has been done to the car? (recent)

[#2!]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

A defective battery? Not sure I've ever heard of that happening, at least not one that goes 100% dead one minute and works the next.

This happens from internal hairline fractures. Usually from one or both of the terminal posts. This can happen with cheap batteries with poor manufacturer standards or using used batteries out of wrecked vehicles.

Complete power loss can happen completely randomly or whenever heat is applied.

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by #2!

This can happen with cheap batteries with poor manufacturer standards or using used batteries out of wrecked vehicles.

Interesting, didn't know that. I know that a battery from a wrecked vehicle is useless though, not reliable, but never saw one go completely dead then come back to life, just would not hold a charge or would give half current sometimes. Why anyone would buy a battery from a salvage yard I have no idea. Just go to Walmart, EverReady batteries are cheap and they work fine.