I am having a weird electrical issue. While driving the radio will cut out and come back on. Other times the radio will cut out and the BAS, ESP, and ABS lights will come on and the engine will hesitate. I was at a stop light and this happened and the car cut off. Also, if I roll down both windows at once the radio will turn off. Any ideas on the cause?

 

As most will ask here, what is the age of the battery? Get it load tested at your local auto parts store.

James

 

I see james is going to post, let's see if I can beat him to the punch.

Oh, hell, go ahead James...!


Ok, he chimed in. I'd only add that crappy battery cables or an alternator with one or two phases out could cause this - but in any event, you are describing very low voltage OR very noisy power - either can be a bad battery, horribly bad battery cable clamps (badly corroded or loose) or screwed up alternator.

Oh...... one thing, my car's negative battery cable got REALLY corroded at the chassis end - so bad I bought a new cable and put it on, along with a new fender bolt. Total cost: 1/2 hour of my time and around $12.

 

Well, lets start with the easiest place first. Look at your battery connections to make sure they are clean and connected. You shouldn't be able to turn either cable. If that is ok, move to the box next to the battery, and take the lid off and look at all those connections next. Connections should be clear of corrosion, and solidly connected. Next would be the fuse box on the other side of the engine bay. Look at all connections, and fuses for corrosion or being loose. Definitely electrical. It could be in behind the dash, lets hope not. That is a lot more lookin' and work. Good points on the previous posts too..

 

ThX all!!! Guess I will be busy tomorrow!! How hard is it to change the alternator? I did the intercooler pump myself so I wouldn't think it is harder than that.

 

Well, maybe a little harder, it's not quite as accessible.