Help Dead Sho!?!?!

[smudgedogg69]

Ok got a problem with a buddys car. 93 mtx . been havin issues with the battery/ alternator for a while. the car doesnt start so we have to jump it once and a while. so we went out last night and well it stalled at in intersection. so we get someone to help us try and jump. hook the cables up and nothing happens after letting sit for 15 minutes. no lights, wont turn over, nothing. just a random beep from the driver door being open. but that is faded and intermitent. (the beep was fine a few hours before) all i get is a weird almost electrical buzz/hiss/cackle coming from under the dash, about right above the fuse box.


im rushed for time at the moment bbut was thinkin bout swapping in my battery and alternator later and seein if that fixed anything, but wanted to confer with the gurus beforehand, cuz i have concerns that it might mess with my alt/battery.
thanks guys

Questions?
comments?
concerns?
ANY HELP?

 

[projectSHO89]

Check both battery cables.

The negative one likes to rot out inside the insulation near the starter.

The positive one does that near the battery.

Steve

 

[smudgedogg69]

ok i had a few minutes to play around with his car after work today. i hooked up the trickle charger last night. got in the car and tried to start it. i get the door ajar warning. then turn the lights on (they actually came on) and its starts the weird cackling / hissing / wheezing thing from under the dash again. right about where the dimmer switch is and it drains the battery like whoa. needless to say i turned the lights off immedately.
have i pinpointed a culprit?
hmmm?????

helps!?!?!?!

 

[smudgedogg69]

still no luck. checked the pos and neg cables at both ends. might try replacing them for ***** and giggles. starter too? i havent had a chance to get under the dash to check anything else yet.

 

[imlosthere]

Did you swap in a good battery?

You could have a bad cell in the battery. A bad cell can show normal voltage
when setting, but when you try to start the car the voltage will drop way down. They can also cause the car to start normally sometimes andnot start at other times. A bad/weak alternator can also cause weird battery problems.

If that's not it do a voltage drop test on the battery cables, that will tell you if there is resistance in the cable.

Take a Volt meter and hook the positive lead directly to the batter positive post (not the cable). Take the negative Volt meter lead and connect it to the starter positive post (not the cable) then try to start the car, if there is resistance it will show up as a voltage. The higher the voltage the worse the resistance. If the meter reads 0.00v then it is not the cable.

Repeat the procedure for the negative cable. It should read the same as the positive side ie. 0.00 is good.

 

[Howdy_Doody]

You need to hook up the battery and get your head under the dash to find out where that sound is coming from. Drop the shroud under the steering wheel, 4 torx screws, and you should be able to see up under there to help trace the noise. You'll probably find the source of the battery drain.

 

[smudgedogg69]

hey guys thanx for the suggestions. i jsut havent been able to get to look at his car yet. every time i get a chance it seems to want to start thunderin and lighting outside.... the weather in syracuse, ny sucks.

 

[smudgedogg69]

k got some time today to tinker. put regular charger on and let it sit for a while. went to turn the car on and the lights one and it started making the screeching noise. noticed the hazard lights were on, so i turned them off and off went the horrible screeching.... hmmm interesting.