Engine Just Dies. Total Power Failure

[BillStephenson]

Hi all, my daughter just bought a 2002 LE with an auto trans.

Once in awhile the car just dies, or won't start. No electric power, no gauges, nothing. Wait a bit, and it runs like new, until it does it again. The dealer she got it from said they changed the battery.

I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, she'll probably try to bring it over here soon.

Any tips on what I might look for? I'll check the main ground and hot wire from the battery, is there anything else I should check? A fusible link maybe? Other electrical connections?

I'll be appreciating any help I can get, I have no repair manual, not even an owners manual to look at.

Kindest Regards,

Bill Stephenson

[BillStephenson]

Well, it appears to be the positive battery cable. It has had a new end spliced onto it and the splice and battery clamp both failed. It looks to me like the cable has gotten way to hot.

Any ideas on what might cause that?

[quicksilverdon]

Go to AdvanceAuto (Others probably have them, too) look at bettery cables - they have different lengths and gauges - get one at least as thick as stock - at least as long.
I added extra grounds off the neg battery terminal using them.
As to cause...it could've been loose and arced - that'll cause melting.