stupid car..anyone know cars?

I got a 95 buick century, notorius for problems and breakdowns.

anyways, sometimes it wont start and acts like it has a dead battery. ill check the battery and its fine..all connections and hoses are fine as far as my eye can see. if i wait a while (sometimes 5 minutes..sometimes an hour or so) it will start and run fine. sometimes it will start and it will die in the middle of driving.

anyone know anything that might help? i dont think its the starter or the solenoids or anything like that..i think it may be the computer but im not too sure. im not used to fiddling with newer models.

When you say it wont start, is the electric starter motor turning the engine over? Or not at all - basically, when u turn the key is there any power going to the starter motor?

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Originally Posted by LIP

When you say it wont start, is the electric starter motor turning the engine over? Or not at all - basically, when u turn the key is there any power going to the starter motor?

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no power at all. you know the little "ding...ding..ding.." sound when you put a key in the ignition? it doesnt even do that when this problem arises. everything goes out. all electrics cease to exist.

well, if your lights or any accessories dim when this happens i would say its your alternator. this is what keeps your car charged and running.

Right - now, next time this happens and the electrics all stop - try putting headlights or indicators on - see if they are working.

Because if you've got no power yet the battery isnt flat, it's got to be a connection in the loom - you want to find out what part though.

If the battery was flat though, you'd hear the relays as the power passes through.

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Originally Posted by mattks1

well, if your lights or any accessories dim when this happens i would say its your alternator. this is what keeps your car charged and running.

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just replaced the alternator a few months ago..it isnt that. nothing dims or anything..everything just stops working abruptly.

Check to see if your terminals are corroded.

now my work keeps calling me and bitching because im not there. ahhh!

they told me to fix it after work and someone there will pick me up.

what if i cant fix this and it happens tomorrow? and the next day? i wanna get this fixed so i can make it to work as usual and all they care about is me making it in there for a three hour shift.

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Originally Posted by thcbongman

Check to see if your terminals are corroded.

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they are squeaky clean

alrighty im gonna take the bus to work or something.

stupid crap car.

any tips advice suggestions words of almighty wisdom anything will be cool. ill be back around 1 or 2 to fix this heap.

thanks for the help guys! :thumbsup: