So my car (84' volvo 240) seems like it is not charging. When I go to start it up, I get no response - the headlights won't turn on, the engine doesn't start. Nothing.

However, when I open the front hood of the car and look around, and then go back to start it again, it starts just perfectly. This has happened 3 times so far - and I have done absolutely nothing when I open the hood.

I have no idea what the problem could be. I was going to get a new battery after work today and see if that was maybe it, however, the battery is maybe 15 months old.

Any ideas?

 

check all connections at the battery, and make sure they're tight. If a battery cable is loose, sometimes it will not make contact until something "jars" it, such as opening/ closing the hood My suggestion is to remove the battery cables, clean them with a wire brush (and baking soda solution if they're heavily corroded), then reinstall them, and coat them with petroleum jelly or commercial battery terminal protector spray. Make sure to tighten the terminal bolts tight enough, but not so tight that you over- stretch the terminal. If the cables have "replacement" terminals installed (the type that bolt on to exposed wires, these are prone to getting corrosion between the wire and terminal. These terminals should really only be used as a temporary fix, until you can either have a new terminal properly crimped on, or (best) a new battery cable installed.

 

Thank you for the advice! My dad used to be my go-to man for my car troubles, but he has sinced moved away, so I am so grateful for your help.

I will report back after work!

Thanks again!

 

One more thing in addition to the battery and cables....there's a 25-amp fuse in the engine bay (driver's side fender well area), and it's mounted in a plastic housing and clipped upon a metal bar. It's the only 25-amp fuse in the engine bay. Sometimes that fuse and/or the housing goes bad and crumbles due to heat over time.