odd electrical issues

[rgmrgm]

I have been having strange electrical problems with my stock 911 sc 1983. Earlier this week i turned on the key to start it and nothing happened no dash lights no starter. after a minute i tried again and the dash lights came on but no starter. after another minute i tried again and starter worked and it started right up and i drove home (daytime). This was after i had driven it thirty minutes earlier.
tonight (dark) I started it up no problem put on the headlights drove maybe a hundred yards and everything momentarily quit, radio, headlights, dash lights and engine. I had it in gear and it restarted as i had the clutch out but the radio did not come back on by itself i had to turn it back on, all the lights came back on. then after another 2-300 yards the headlights went off switch still pulled out but car ran fine and radio was working. I pushed the light switch back in for a few minutes and then when i pulled it back out lights worked fine while i drove home maybe 45 minutes. In my driveway now everything seems ok. I hate intermittent problems any suggestions? I am thinking I might have a loose major connection somewhere.

[timmy2]

Check your main ground points for the car. Check the battery negative connection, check the main positive battery connection as well as the fuses for corrosion or loose connections.
May want to check the electrical connector to the ignition switch as well.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 grounds

[T77911S]

could be bad ignition switch, could be the already bad fuse block. also as said above, remove all major battery connections and clean them, including the grounds, dont forget the tranny to body.

on my fuse block, i removed each fuse one at a time and i cleaned the ends of the fuse and the contacts on the fuse block. i also removed each wire, one at a time, and cleaned the ends and also cleaned the end of the screw that clamps the wire down.
i used very fine sandpaper and a small wire brush.

[kodioneill]

You're in need of a Exorcism or possible ignition switch.

[Jaybird12]

Do you have an aftermarket battery kill switch? Check that too. This sounds similar to an issue I just had.

[rgmrgm]

worked on it today, cleaned, all battery connections and noticed a little corrosion between the two additional wire ends that are attached to the main positive cable. the connection for these additional wires was also not very tight. hopefully this was the cause. Almost has to be the battery cables as the radio does not go off unless battery is disconnected or radio itself is turned off. I also have some kind of alarm system, no brand name, wires snake off behind the fuse box. its been there since i got the car 20 years ago..

no documents and i dont know how to activate it but it has been harmlessly sitting there as i have been fearful to remove it. anyone see an alarm like this?i guess it could be now acting up.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by rgmrgm

worked on it today, cleaned, all battery connections and noticed a little corrosion between the two additional wire ends that are attached to the main positive cable. the connection for these additional wires was also not very tight. hopefully this was the cause. Almost has to be the battery cables as the radio does not go off unless battery is disconnected or radio itself is turned off. I also have some kind of alarm system, no brand name, wires snake off behind the fuse box. its been there since i got the car 20 years ago..

no documents and i dont know how to activate it but it has been harmlessly sitting there as i have been fearful to remove it. anyone see an alarm like this?i guess it could be now acting up.

If it's not causing any issues, I would leave it.

I've helped several members in the removal of itinerant alarms,
and it can get a bit intense, especially without any documentation........

Good luck,

pm me as needed

Gerry

[T77911S]

as a former auto electric tech, after market car alarms should be illegal. they are more trouble than they are worth.