Stalling Engine Then Will Not Start - Then Miraculously it starts.

[Travelor]

It's a 1989 Cam with the 2vz V6 Engine.
Recently replaced Water Pump.
resealed Oil Pump
Resealed Valve Covers
Resealed Transmission pan
Resealed Oil Pan
Lots of oil cleanup.
Everything seems to be working fine. I think I have a small vacuum leak, and possibly a clutch going in the "Automatic" transmission.

However, just recently I ran the tank down and while on the way to the gas station it died. Seemingly due to lack of fuel.
After putting fuel in I sat and cranked the engine over. Nothing.
I got out, checked the battery terminals got back in, and it fired up.
The next day, while driving home, it died suddenly. The oil and engine lights on dash came on. The headlights went out the radio went out, the seat belts worked as well as the windows. It cranked but no starting. Headlights and interior lights and radio would not turn on. Hazards also were offline. As I began to make a call to the tow company, all the lights turned on, and she fired right up.

The next morning while driving to church it did the same exact thing. I looked under hood several times removed and resat the main fuses at battery terminal. Still nothing. The 3rd time I did this miraculously the missing electrical systems came back online. The batter is only 3 months old. The starter seems to crank pretty good. took a quick peek and the cam pulleys are moving. All the fuses seem to be in order.

Any ideas of where to begin tracking down the short? At least that's what I am guessing is the problem.

Thanks for any input.

Trav...

[marc780]

None of the work you listed sounds like it could be related to this problem. And not even the running-out-of-fuel part since you describe an electrical problem.

Maybe you have a worn out ignition switch; or your battery cable clamps are loose or dirty; or the battery ground (black cable from battery) isnt bolted on tight at the grounded side. also some other issues this car may have, check the alternator belt for looseness or slipping belt; then check the alternator for idle output - use a multimeter, you should see at least 14.0 volts at idle, measured at the battery. If not, have the alternator tested, it may need replacing.

But my guess is a worn out ignition switch could be aggravating or causing the problem, because of the age of the car and the number of electrical items that are affected. A quick check is to jiggle the key or move it slightly while cranking and see if this affects anything.

[Travelor]

Ok,

Well I would think that it was this, however, the egnition switch is no longer used to to start the vehicle. The key goes in and turns on electricity. Then a button is pushed to turn the engine over.

This was done by a previous owner..

Trav