peterkemp47

03 Accord LX Coupe w/ V6

Yesterday my wife got in her car and it wouldn't start. She had someone jump her (no she wasn't hurt) and drove the car home. When she got in the garage, she turned off and tried to start it and we discovered that the car's electrical system was completely dead -- no lights or sounds at all. It was as if the battery was disconnected. I started investigating and checked the main fuse under the hood - not blown. I removed the + terminal and cleaned and reconnected. Car started up just fine. Sent her on her way to church.

15 minutes later she calls and the car just stopped running while she was driving it. I went and did the same thing and it started up again. Switched cars and drove it home with a stop at O-Reilly. Wouldn't start after pulling into parking space. Had them do an electrical test. Battery checked out good. He asked me to start the car to check the alternator, and to my surprise it started. Alternator checked out fine too.

Drove it home. Discovered that I could go through a couple of start stops and then on the next start, I hear a click under the hood and the electrical is dead again. I left the terminal loose and pulled it off and put it back on. The car starts. The above procedure consistently ends in the same results.

I'm thinking there must be a relay that is sticking and removing the current causes the relay to release. Not sure where that would be.

I took it to my mechanic this morning and, of course, the car wouldn't cooperate. Ran fine. This afternoon, I get in the car and first attempt to start results in the dead electrical. While it was dead, I used my meter to check and see if the battery was feeding current to the fuse box. Had 12+ volts. Pulled the terminal and put it back on and everything is fine again.

Does this sound familiar to anyone and can you let me know how to solve it?

Thanks in advance for any help that can be given.

dave198911

my wifes 05 has the same problem cant figure it out any help would be appreciated

joec44

Check to make sure the pos. cable is tight after tighting the bolt try to move it back anf forth the cable end stretchs and wiil not make a good conec. to bat If so put a small scvrew in near the bolt for a temp. repair but you should replace the cable if this what it is