Author Topic: Bad ground ? (Read 2365 times)

Red_M42 · « **on:** October 18, 2009, 03:59:50 PM »

Hey Guys,

Here's the problem...car sat for the past 4-5 months, tried to start the car, everything was fine but it seemed like the alternator was shot, so got a new one and put it in, car started fine and i even took out for a spin.

The next day i tried to start the car all i hear is clicking sound coming from the starter...uh huh i thought the starter went out. so i took it out, tested it, it seems fine.

So i got a set of jumper cables and connected one end of the ground to the oil drain plug and clamped the other ground end to the top shock tower...car starts right away.

now im not sure where to look other than a few common places...is it safe to just make a new ground from the engine to the body? or i need to find this bad ground?

Thanks in advance

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2009, 05:08:42 PM »

Load test the battery before you replace any more parts. If it's borderline you'll get all sorts of odd starter & charging problems. The test is free at most auto parts centers.

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2009, 03:58:33 AM »

Sounds like the alternator was fine, you're battery just isn't holding charge.

Red_M42 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2009, 10:50:07 AM »

Quote from: nicknikolovski;80109

Sounds like the alternator was fine, you're battery just isn't holding charge.

I actually pulled it out first and took it to a shop to test it, they told me it was gone.