90 Cutlass complete electrical failure

[Albion]

Hi guys,

 

A couple of days ago while driving I noticed that the dash (cluster and stereo) would lose power for like a second, then come back on.

 

Yesterday, I got in the car, turned the key, and the the dash lit up for a second then died, the courtesy lights all went off, and the engine refused to make so much as a peep. I seemed to have completely lost all electrical power.

 

I checked all fuses, all seemed to be good, and the battery was reading 11.5 volts, all connections seemed clean and solid.

 

About ten minutes later I re-tried, and she fired up fine, but cut out again as I reached my destination. I removed the key and re-started her and she seemed fine again.

 

Any suggestions as to a possible cause for this? I fairly recently had the crank sensor and ignition control module replaced, but she also seems a little wobbly at idle now too.

 

Thanks,

 

Albion.

[Prospeeder]

Computer? that seems like it would be a main factor, does it have the 3.1 or thr 2.3?

[DiscoStudd]

Check out the Auxillary positive terminal. Tighten down on the nut, but be careful not to touch your ratchet against anything metal ...

[terryk2003]

could be a corroded battery cable...like...corroded inside where you wouldnt see it...

[Albion]

It's a 3.1. would a computer problem cause total electrical shutdown?

 

Where's the Aux + terminal? (I don't know engines/electrical very well) :oops:

 

Should I do Idle Relearn too, since the power went out?

 

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming!

 

Albion.

[NORBI]

Check positive terminal cable at the battery i had same problems and it was loose at the battery and had to change that little screw that goes to the battery.

[GutlessSupreme]

Where's the Aux + terminal? (I don't know engines/electrical very well) :oops:

 

It's a stud with a 4 (?) gauge wire bolted to it located between the washer fluid tank and the strut tower on the driver's side. It's under a red cap. If the nut holding the wire on the stud becomes loose it can cause all sorts of crazy problems.

[1990lumina]

The aux. terminal is right beside the green circle in the below picture. Mostly likely has a red cap on the top if it like shown in the picture below...

If you do an idle relearn the ecm fuse is circled in green

[Albion]

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys, I'll check those things out tomorrow.

 

1990Lumina, thanks for the visual aid! (I'd thought the fuse labelled "ECM" in the under-glovebox area was it).

 

Albion.

[Intlcutlass]

There is a 95% chance it's just a loose batt cable , BUT!!! I had the exact same symtoms when my injectors died... a complete failure of the electrical system (because the injectors had shorted out)...

 

just sharing..... I'm sure it's a loose cable....

[Albion]

Thanks!

 

I had the cables off the battery and gave them a good clean at all contact points, they were a little loose also.

 

Fingers crossed, she's been fine since then (although it's only been about 24 hours...)

 

I hate "intermittent" problems

 

Albion.

[cutlsp]

it may be fine but if it still has problems clean the Aux terminal of corosion

[Albion]

Oops, forgot to add that I also cleaned up the aux terminal :oops:

 

Albion.

[cutlsp]

Oops, forgot to add that I also cleaned up the aux terminal :oops:

 

Albion.

if you still have problems try an idle relearn :?