I don't know what they touched, but two guys got her to start and drove her over to me in the parking lot where I was safe with my 3 yo in a stroller....(really!)

So- everything checked, on about our way, it happened again. a wait, a disconnect of the battery no go - then voila!

Drove and stopped two more times last night.
Today it was dead again. Again. COld hard dead. Jiggled the battery connections.....looked and looked...wiggled a box on the DS engine compartment side wall with four red wires....ding ding ding! Started but weak....stopped and started two more times. What's the box? Can I follow the wires safely and look for a loose one? Must I run to the dealer for a module? Going to drive to the fireworks soon....answers may be sought from a parking lot via phone later tonight

I really can't afford a mechanic, and I am here in Lexington KY headed to fireworks in Paris tonight. Its a red wagon, if you see us...say Hi!

 

It's a junction box.(see pic)Pop off the plastic cover and check for a loose terminal or corrosion,also make sure your batt terminals are clean.




Dan

 

Is this "box" black(JUNCTION BOX) mounted to the side of the drivers inner fender? If so the cover comes off...take cover off and make sure all your connections are tight and clean there...also make sure the small wire on your positive battery post has a good tight connection and contacts are clean with no corrosion...once you get car running again pull the negative side battery post off(ONLY FOR A SECOND OR 2 and see if car dies. if it dies your alternator is bad...good luck.

 

Yes, it is the junction box on the fender! And my positive terminal is very corroded. Can I fix this with coca cola and a toothbrush? Will baking soda or rootbeer work? We made it round trip to the fireworks safe and sound, but I did have it die once, and the first attempt to restart was weak. The Third was Strong- so good battery, 2yo alternator.....checking connections later today.

Thanks for the help so far!

 

No more dead dying. Now, I just need a jump to start the car, even though it is not completely dead, even after a nice run around town. A jump and it goes right on. All the red wires look good, and while I haven't found the alternator yet (my 79 242 looked a bit different under the hood) I am beginning to think a. starter connection b. short somewhere on the way. I have a screwdriver, I could get some electrical tape somewhere.....where do I start and can anyone send me towards a picture of the stuff I want to look for in my 92 240 series wagon?

 

battery tested bad at auto zone. Replaced. much better.

 

Good. A simple alternator test if you do not have a multimeter is to pull off the negative battery cable while the car is running(only for a couple of seconds). If car stays running while cable is off then alternator is good. If car dies...alternator is bad. A lot of times you do not need to replace the entire alternator but just the brushes...Good luck

 

Don't buy AC Delco alternators. I had this happened to me after I put in a "Remanufactured" AC Delco unit. So embarrassing.

 

5 year old thread, just sayin...