hey forum

i've been having electrical issues lately, but not like this. i have a 94 accord automatic dx? so this morning i went to start and it was weak and longer than usual, but eventually it cranked. i thought maybe a weak battery, so i drove it to work. the radio and dash lights and gauges were going on and off until all electric was completely off. the car would rev up and down occasionally. as soon as i get to my parking spot the car turned off before stopping. i tried the switch and i would get no power at all.

i tried it earlier and all the lights worked. i went to start and it cranked and sounded like it was going to start but was very weak and eventually nothing.

i just tried it again but this time instead of cranking there was buzzing coming from around driver side, eventually nothing. now there is not clicking or buzzing when starting.

dead battery? the terminals don't look very clean either. the fuses seem to check out.

is this the engine surge? i saw a lot of symptoms in this:
The dreaded engine surge - Automotive Service Professional

 

Can be a charging problem. Have alternator and battery tested. In addition, check battery cables and alternator wires.

 

Hi No.Never..take the car to an AutoZone and have them do a Free systems check..They usually can help .

 

thanks. interesting, i didn't know they did systems check. will do.

well the car won't start, but if it does i will stop by an AZ before heading home. i'm gonna try to jump it after work. if not i'll probably leave it here and come back tomorrow.

yea maybe the alternator didn't charge and was running on the battery. this car hasn't had any major service in 20 years. so maybe a new battery and/or alternator is not a bad idea.

 

Well, pull the battery out and take it to the store - they will at least test and recharge it for you, usually free

 

we have a winner. thanks all.

after my shift, everything looked fine. got a jump and it started fine, unfortunately it was running on the batter because it got me three miles before it died. luckily right next to a parking lot. def alternator.

so as i was waiting for another jump i started checking the wires again. i pushed the alternator plug in and it clicked, it was probably loose. i unplugged it and looked at the connection: both the harness part and alternator terminal had some gunk in it. probably from being loose so long?

by the time my jump got there i cleaned it as best as i could. hasn't lost charge since. it checked out at AZ just fine too.

thanks all for the help!!