Starting/Electrical Problem

[a_scobel]

Arggg..okay yesterday I get in my car, shut the door, put the key in the ignition, turn it halfway, and the dash lights/radar detector come on. I turn it the rest of the way to start the car and it all goes dead, I try turning it again but this time NOTHING electrical comes on. I go and take the cables off the battery, then put them back on, and the lights come on! So I get in, put the key in, turn it and the exact same thing happens. The radar detector/dash lights come on, but when I try to start the car the whole electrical system craps out. So I get a ride to work, and come back 13 hours later. Get in, the lights work when I open the door. Put the key in, turn it halfway, the dash/radar detector comes on. But then when I turn it the rest of the way to start the car, it stops! Just like last time!! I cleaned the battery terminals, and the cables, I even charged the battery up so I dunno what's going on! Anybody have any advice or help??

 

[Defiant]

What's the battery voltage, and how old is it?

 

[Woody91GSX]

Need a new key tumbler? The tumbler just may be broken/old/corroded. Maybe try installing a new one.

 

[a_scobel]

The voltage was at 12.5 before i charged it, it's at 13 right now. and I don't know exactly how old it is, it was in there when i bought the car back in March.

I'm just worried that it's something in the wiring, but I hear that's pretty rare.

And key tumbler?? Hm the electrical only shuts off when I try to turn the engine, it works when in the AUX position and run position. I don't think it's the key tumbler, cause when I turn the key to crank the engine, the electrical shuts off..then when I release it, nothing works. Everything in the run/aux key position should still be on after I release the key from the crank position, right.

I'm thinking it's the battery. I'm going to get a voltmeter and put it on the battery, it'll read 13 with nothing on. I'll have a friend turn the key to the RUN position, it should only drop down to like 12 v with the headlights on, right. Then i'll have him turn it to crank the engine, if when he does that, the meter reads like 5 V, it's the battery. If it still reads 12 V when he cranks it, it'll be the starter...right? That's just my theory.

 

[Woody91GSX]

Well, the tumbler turns off all the accesories so it can run the starter and computer. Check to see if you're getting voltage at the starter. If you are... there's only one last thing, and you know what that is.