When I turn off my car, all power is lost - door locks won't work - lose radio station settings, clock setting etc, and the car won't restart. It will restart sometimes after a few seconds, and sometimes after a few minutes. This doesn't happen every time but maybe once every couple of dozen times. I have taken it to my mechanic (not dealer) who can not identify the problem. Problem coincides roughly with installation of a new battery. Any ideas?
Electrical Problem with 98 Mazda Protege
Dec 12, 2010
5 Replies
I would check the tightness/cleanliness of the battery cable connections before commencing to pull your hair out.
nate
WHat Nate said, and, by any chance, did you install the terminals
*backwards*, even for a second?
Almost sounds like a bad ignition switch
Double check wires near the battery. If you have a harness of wires that attach to the battery cable check those for being loose/bad etc.
It was installed by my mechanic - what if the terminals were installed backwards?
Sounds very much like an ignition switch problem, but the meter and the wiring diagram will tell you for sure.
--scott
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