Its me again.

[Bri guy]

Drove to the store and everything was fine. Drove on the highway to another store and in the 10 minutes i was in the store the battery was dead. Waited a few minutes, car almost started. My gf came and jumped the car. Took about 10 minutes for it to charge enough to start. Drove home on the highway. Parked it in the garage. Starts right up again. Volts at battery and alt is 13.8 with the electric fan running. Went to shut the car off and the car didnt want to shut off. Had to turn the ignition off a couple times...car can be started without a key. Any ideas what to look at? Alt tested good at the store

 

[5spdCab]

The first thing I would check is the ignition switch if it didn't shut off when you turned the key off. If ignition switch is going bad, it could produce both of the scenarios you described, not shutting off or not starting.

 

[Bri guy]

It would make the battery seem dead? Click click click sound?

 

[5spdCab]

Maybe not. I was just thinking that if it didn't shut off properly, and doesn't always start properly, that maybe could just be a bad switch. If it does the click click click thing, most often low battery or dirty/bad connections. Something definitely wrong if it doesn't shut off though.

 

[Bri guy]

Its the first time it didnt shut off. But it must be worn since i dont need the key to start. Brand new mini starter. All the wires coming from the starter and battery are brand new. Maybe the battery is bad and also need the ignition replaced.

 

[5spdCab]

Its the first time it didnt shut off. But it must be worn since i dont need the key to start. Brand new mini starter. All the wires coming from the starter and battery are brand new. Maybe the battery is bad and also need the ignition replaced.

I can remove the key from my '78 with the engine running, and if it is not turned to the lock position, I can restart it without the key. Many older vehicles are like that. My '79 on the other hand, can't pull the key out except when turned off.

 

[Bri guy]

When i first got the car it needed the key and wouldnt pull out while running. Key is really worn...im sure the ignition is too...

 

[blk7gxn]

I know you mentioned you have a new mini starter on there, I still wouldn't be hesitant to check the amperage draw on the starter, this will be an indicator if the starter is going bad or not. Often times if a starter is starting to go bad, it will almost seem like a dead battery, and when you put jumpers on the battery, its just enough to start the car. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[pontiacgp]

I had a batttery with a dead cell, came out one morning after a 3 hour drive the night before and the battery was so dead I thought someone stole it. I could charge that battery up and it would work perfect days and then it would die without any warning.

 

[TURNA]