98 v6 droptop

mtcowboy56 · 10-05-2010, 08:12 PM

my brother inlaws girlfriend has a v6 new edge. with a 5 speed. the other day i saw that the check engine light was on and i told her about it. she said she knew and the code was that the plugs need changed. now today she says it wont start acting like the battery is dead but when jumper cables are used it dont take a charge. any ideas as to what the cause might be.
maybe i'll make an offer to here lol.

AllShowNoGo · 10-06-2010, 04:21 AM

ah the good ol' electrical system. Lets see in this case, I would first check all connections, big ones being the grounds. Ensure all your grounds are clean and clear, especially the main on your block. Still no luck after that, take the battery in and have it tested. How old is the battery? If the battery is dead, new battery, obviously...if not, put her back in and move to your alternator. If she's not working anymore (do you have a voltimeter?) you can test it yourself, if not, pop it off and take it down to the local auto store and they can test it. Shouldn't go beyond connections (grounds), battery, and alternator. If it does...well that's a whole new game. But try those 3 first.

mtcowboy56 · 10-06-2010, 11:41 AM

yeah the obviouse things i am going to look at today. i was woundering about worse case. and if there were any known defects or problems with this model.

david01130 · 10-06-2010, 12:08 PM

Cody laid it out pretty well. Your local auto parts store should be able to test both the battery and alternator in or out of the car.

When you put the jumper cables on did the engine start at all? or just not take a charge? If there was a problem with the battery then the jumper cables should still be able to start the car. Even if both the alternator and battery were dead I believe.

Did you try to pull the codes again and see what it says? Maybe solenoid problems?

mtcowboy56 · 10-06-2010, 05:55 PM

i got it running really caroeded terminals so thick that jumpers couldnt get a good connection battery may need a replacement.

david01130 · 10-06-2010, 07:04 PM

thats good. Glad it wasnt something worse.

mtcowboy56 · 10-06-2010, 09:17 PM

yeah but i was kinda hoping i had found a home for my 302 lol

YELLOW MACH · 10-07-2010, 03:28 AM

dirty wires that was a easy fix. good to hear that you were able to fix it yourself/ i hate having to have someone else fix my stuff. one of my trucks wont start with a key, no power to sonolid. today i gonna put a push button. i dont want to start messing with the wire harness trying to figure out why. my guys just jump it with a screwdriver. and no it is not a bad solonid i put in a new one and still the same. switch at the bottom of stering colum maybe?

AllShowNoGo · 10-07-2010, 05:03 AM

mmm, ^ this case... I would betcha it's a grounding issue. Did you get out the ol' test light to check if there's power there? The "signal" could be getting grounded out?

YELLOW MACH · 10-07-2010, 03:50 PM

yes i did test lite it. didnt get time to look at it today. cleaning shop so we can start painting 72