S14 SR20DET - Won't start under it's own power..but runs fine.

[ArcherV20]

I have a 1995 240SX with an S14 SR20DET.

As of today, the car seems to be randomly dying without cause. Here is a play by play.

Get in, start the car, drive normally for about 30 minutes. Park, get out.

3 hours later I get out to start my car. It's dead, it has a slight charge as in the locks worked, then lights came on momentarily. I try to crank it and it doesn't start. At this point the juice is gone and I can't power lock the car, or cause dash lights to come on. My assumption is dead battery.

I get a boost, fires up fine. I drive to a friends, park again for about an hour. Start up the car, fires up perfectly, car runs fine.

I get home, turn off the engine. Go to use my powerlocks, and the power seems to be gone immediately. I try my remote keyless, nothing either. I go to start it, and it won't turn.

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Is this starting to sound like a dead battery? Or a dead alternator? Or even worse a starter?

Thanks.

[240life]

My KA did this when the altenator was going out, if your battery is old and your altenator tests bad i would replace both

[GreGS15]

best way to check is when the car is running, try unhooking the battery, your alternator should be able to run the car with the battery unhooked...if your car dies, the alternator is shot..

You can also use a multi-meter

http://www.expertvillage.com/v...r.htm

You can normally tell your alternator is dying by your lights dimming when you let off the gas pedal. That how I first noticed my alternator was shot!

you are welcome!
Modified by GreGS15 at 5:31 PM 6/6/2009

[ArcherV20]

Loose / Corroded battery terminals. Cleaned them off and tightened it down to the max - the car runs fine for now.

Thanks again.