So about a week ago, my Monte Carlo died at my buddy's house...I replaced the stock alternator with a 140 amp chrome alternator from Summit, came to find out I had a dead cell in my Optima Red Top. I returned the Red Top for a Yellow Top because I figured it would be more beneficial as I 'm running a stereo system and upgraded headlights and gauges and what not. Car ran beautifully for about 3 days and died right in my driveway as if the battery or alternator died. I immediately tried starting it again and nothing. However the next day, the car started right up and ran fine again. Any ideas where to start?
Weird little issue..
- Thread starter Garrow215
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Sounds like ur loosin power to ur ignition, maybe coil or somthing else in ur lineup goin bad or maybe damp cuz if some of that gets wet it wont work right. Some parts of the ignition system can set for a while and work again for a while until they go bad completly
Take the control module out of the distributor and have it tested. They are notorious for getting hot and causing a crank//no start issue until they cool off. Just a suggestion if you have a crank// but no start issue. Id try that first if that is indeed what you are experiencing.
I dont think the gage would read anything with the ignition, just the battery voltage but if its a higher output altrenator it seems like it should be higher than 11 volts when the car is running. that being said my elcamino runs about 11 with just a stock type alternator idk what kind r running but assumed since u have a sound system it would be a non stock higher output version.
Have your alt and battery tested. Just because they're new don't mean they can't be bad. I've read on other forums of guys having trouble with Optimas but I've never had one. Also, check to see how much draw there is on the battery when it's shut off. Disconnect battery and run voltmeter between terminal and batt post. There will be some due to stereo, lights, ect. Just look for a higher than normal reading.
Check your battery cables as well.
I had an issue with my '87 a while back where it would start and run fine but then other times you'd get nothing at all. It was bad enough that when I was driving at night, all the lights on my car would turn off.
I checked my positive battery cable and down by the starter the insulation was broken and I had bare copper wire for about a 1/2". It had been like this for a while as the copper was green and corroded.
Replaced the battery cables and put a new mini starter on at the same time and never had the problem again.
I had an issue with my '87 a while back where it would start and run fine but then other times you'd get nothing at all. It was bad enough that when I was driving at night, all the lights on my car would turn off.
I checked my positive battery cable and down by the starter the insulation was broken and I had bare copper wire for about a 1/2". It had been like this for a while as the copper was green and corroded.
Replaced the battery cables and put a new mini starter on at the same time and never had the problem again.
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