Dash dies when key is turned to start it

[loganhamdan21]

This started completely out of the blue. When I turn the key to the on position, the dash and all of the lights come on fine. But when I turn the key to turn the engine over, the dash completely dies and the engine doesn’t turn over. It only starts if I jump it, and even then it struggles to start. When it is started, I have to keep giving it gas to keep it from stalling out. I had an issue like this a few months ago and it was just a bad ground on my battery, so I checked there first. I wire brushed absolutely everything on the battery and tightened all of the connections. Still no luck. I had my battery and alternator both tested and they are both fine. I tried pulling different fuses to see if anything would change. When I pulled the starter relay fuse and turned the key, the dash stays on. So I replaced that fuse and still nothing. I’m at a complete loss right now and could use any help that’s offered

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That problem is definitely caused by either a defective/loose/bad battery connection or, more likely since you already cleaned and tightened them, your battery is bad.

Few auto parts store employees know how to properly conduct a "load test" on a battery, they seldom hold the load on the battery long enough. The load is an electrical load, like your starter places on the battery when you try to start the engine. If they don't hold the load (half of the battery's CCA rating) on the battery for at least 15 seconds it can give a false "good" indication.

Simply measuring the voltage on the battery with a standard volt meter doesn't test the battery. Even a nearly dead battery can still show 12 volts across the battery posts. The only way to test it is by placing an electrical load on it and watching its voltage during the 15 second test cycle. If the voltage drops off too much at the end of 15 second test the battery is bad.

 

[loganhamdan21]

That problem is definitely caused by either a defective/loose/bad battery connection or, more likely since you already cleaned and tightened them, your battery is bad.

Few auto parts store employees know how to properly conduct a "load test" on a battery, they seldom hold the load on the battery long enough. The load is an electrical load, like your starter places on the battery when you try to start the engine. If they don't hold the load (half of the battery's CCA rating) on the battery for at least 15 seconds it can give a false "good" indication.

Simply measuring the voltage on the battery with a standard volt meter doesn't test the battery. Even a nearly dead battery can still show 12 volts across the battery posts. The only way to test it is by placing an electrical load on it and watching its voltage during the 15 second test cycle. If the voltage drops off too much at the end of 15 second test the battery is bad.

Thank you, I’m going to take out my battery and take it to get tested when I get off of work. I’ll post updates around 6 today

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thank you, I’m going to take out my battery and take it to get tested when I get off of work. I’ll post updates around 6 today

Make sure it is "load tested" and watch while they do it to make sure the load is kept on the battery no less than 15 seconds.