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02 impala major electrical issues


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bugzy3188
User

Dec 13, 2011, 3:50 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2095 views)
02 impala major electrical issues Sign In

I have a 2002 chevy impala its the 3400 model, the sl version and it has 153,000 miles on it. My wife was driving the car last week the interior lights started and radio started flashing on and off sparatically along with the headlights, the car itself began to lose power eventually bringing her to a halt and keeling over. Later that day I drove to the ca with a buddy ad tried starting it to find the battery seemed to be completely dead. I had him give me a jump and was not only able to drive home but drove fine for the whole week. Just this passed Friday however my wife went to start th car before school and it did the exact same thing before dying. The first thing that I did was pull the altenator and have it tested it passed all tests at oreily twice, next I charged the battery outside of the car and had that tested, it also passed with flying colors. If I put the battery in the car however and try to start it, my guages start freaking out as well as all lights, there is also a very noticeable clicking noise coming from the glove compartment which sometimes persists even after removing the key. There is also a low groaning sound coming from the left side of the engine (facing the car) where the altenator and two fuse boxes are. The car also seems to not be getting power despite a fully charged and tested battery (dim lights, slow windows etc...) any help from anyone on this topic would be very helpful.....bw I have reasearched the security issue and I. Am not geting any security lights and turning the car off for a while does not fix my problem...even temporarily like it seems to for that specific problem...


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Dec 13, 2011, 5:09 PM

Post #2 of 6 (2057 views)
Re: 02 impala major electrical issues Sign In

Start by checking grounds. There is a ground point on the frame near the battery and fuse block. Make sure the ground is clean and tight.

There is another ground point on one of the transmission bellhousing bolts near the starter motor. Make sure that ground is clean and tight and the wiring looks good.

You can follow the battery negative cable to each ground point. Let us know what you find out.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


bugzy3188
User

Dec 13, 2011, 5:19 PM

Post #3 of 6 (2051 views)
Re: 02 impala major electrical issues Sign In

gotta wait for some light tommorrow (I live at an apartment) but I will definately post back as soon as I've checked those out....


bugzy3188
User

Dec 14, 2011, 9:03 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2027 views)
Re: 02 impala major electrical issues Sign In

checked the grounds today and they are all fine as far as i can tell, no rust or corrosion and theyre nice and snug. I found out the reason that the car clicks sometimes after removing the key is the headlights trying to draw power from the battery if that helps at all, they are automatic


bugzy3188
User

Dec 15, 2011, 6:03 PM

Post #5 of 6 (2011 views)
Re: 02 impala major electrical issues Sign In

ok, a few more questions...first, what are the odds that this is a starter problem? I dont really have the knowledge or tools to take that out (at least I dont think I do) so i would probably have to pay to have it taken out and tested. Also I know that electronic systems diagnostics are usually based on an hourly rate when it comes to price so could anyone give me some places to start?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2011, 6:39 PM

Post #6 of 6 (2006 views)
Re: 02 impala major electrical issues Sign In

We're not in the "odds" business. We're in the testing business. Throwing parts at an unknown problem can be far more expensive than paying for diagnostics.



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