Problem Starting LC, Battery/Starter Have a Life of Their Own

[watchknut]

A couple of months ago when I tried to start my LC, it did not turn over and the battery was dead. I popped the hood, checked the connection on a my positive terminal safety switch, got back in and it started.

I have one of these: http://www.hemmings.com/parts/item/...ys-&-Solenoids/Battery-Terminal-Dis/2617.html

In the last couple of weeks the problem has gotten worse and now every time I start the car, it is dead or cuts off and no volts on the meter. I have to pop the hood, disconnect the positive terminal safety switch, wait a minute, reconnect and it starts.

The connection on the terminal was loose, so I remedied that, and now it seems worse.

Does anyone have any idea what on earth is causing this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[2000UZJ]

Have you bypassed the safety switch and tested? I would remove the safety switch and see what happens for a few days/weeks. My bet is the contacts/connections aren't quite meshing properly. It's not good for a engine to loose battery power, I can't exactly remember what happens but IIRC it's quite hard on the alternator and other components.

 

[watchknut]

Great, I will do that tonight and see what happens. It only loses power when I try to start it.

 

[hankinid]

Great, I will do that tonight and see what happens. It only loses power when I try to start it.

Which is saying that the safety switch can handle low amperage loads, but chokes on a hundred or more amps when the starter needs it.

I would can the safety switch you're using and, if you think you really need one, go for something like the second down on the page here...http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/en-us/d86_battery_switches.html

That should handle anything you need, short of running a winch from the battery. I use one on a big-arse diesel tractor with no issues.

hth

Steve
http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/en-us/d86_battery_switches.html

 

[watchknut]

Thanks for the tips. Long story short, previous owner installed a battery with the wrong orientation and used a safety switch to bridge the gap of space--issue was that it was a switch for the negative terminal used on the positive terminal and the connection was not tight. I replaced the blue top with the proper red top (25% off at Advanced Auto) connected and everything appears to be good to go.

I am shocked that this problem just surfaced after 3 months of driving!