A strange experience with electrical system.

[mike77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mike77]

Hello,

My first post in this forum 

Last night I parked my 2007 model prado in the garage, switched off the lights took the key out and got out of the car. The doors and tailgate were left open for around 10 minutes as I was chatting with the neighbor and kids were getting their stuff out through the tailgate. Then I shut the doors and when tried to lock the car, it was not working. First I suspected the key. I brought the spare key and tried and there was no difference. I got in the car and inserted the key and to my horror found that there were no any warning light. It was totally dead like the battery was disconnected. But my battery was only two months old.

I was simply sitting in the driver’s seat wondering what to do next with the key inserted and turned to acc position. After some time the power came back by itself. Since then I tested many times and it is working fine.

I am worried about this thing happening again. The problem with taking it to a mechanic is that when you try to show to someone that a machine won’t work, it will!

Anyone got any clue what could be wrong?

Mike.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Try the battery terminals, see if there tight and clean.

Cheers
Leigh

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

Had a similar experience yesterday. Pulled up at the servo to refill,turned car off and notice every thing went dead, Starting thinking fuse as the battery terminals where looking clean after i had recently clean them a couple of weeks ago. Decided that maybe battery had died so I swapped over my 2nd dual battery to start position,and presto the car started. Took it home and got multi meter out and the battery and alternator where showing good charge. Decided to pull off terminals and give them a good bath in hot bi carb and water. Put original battery back in and all is now good. I learnt that even if the terminals look clean around the outside that they can have not contact on the inside as they are in fact very dirty.
So as LeighW has suggested check and clean terminals.

[mike77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mike77]

Thank you Leigh and Rags.

I will clean the terminals again eventhough they were well cleaned when the battery was replaced two months back.

Mike.

[Jezz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jezz]

I have exactly the same problem. My battery is fine, only 18 months old and checked by RACV. I turn the key and all the electrics just die. They come good again after several minutes. This happens every couple of weeks or so. Sometimes happens within a day or so of the last occurrence. Did cleaning the battery terminals actually fix the issue?
Thanks
Jezz

[Dabeanian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dabeanian]

Hello boys,
Many years ago sons car wouldn't start so I cleaned the terminals and the leads, still wouldn't start , phoned a mobile auto electrician he came out and CLEANED the terminals and cables real good , car started .

Moral of the story if you think there clean rough them up a bit more , needless to say I felt a right prat.
Cheers Alan.