Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Replaced my car battery and now it wont turn. Interior lights function..?

I just replaced the battery in my 01 Mustang GT. I also replaced the terminal connection clamp on the positive terminal. I have power (interior lights, radio, headlights, etc. work fine). However, when I turn the starter, the engine doesn't turn, and I lose all the power to my lights, etc. If I giggle the positive connection, I get my power back, but still can't start the motor.

I tried jumping it, that doesn't work. I was able to push start it, but after I killed the motor, the same problem exists.

My battery guage shows I'm at full capacity.

17 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    the positive connection is still loose. Did you clean the terminals before you installed it?

    It isnt backwards is it?

  • 1 decade ago

    you either have a bad connection or if you have a factory alarm system it may have shut the car down,but it sounds more like a connection problem,you should also make sure the battery you bought has a full charge in it,sometimes new batteries wont be fully charged,their supposed to be but they aren't always,try fixing the connections and then jump start the car,see if it will start with a jump start,if not you have other problems with it,good luck on it.

    Source(s): been a certified mechanic for 37 yrs.
  • 1 decade ago

    check the wires on the starter... i had the same problem on my camaro before and all it was, is the power wire gong to the starter it was loose if you have someone turn the ignition key while you giggle the starter wire..... it should kick over

    either that or your the connection or the bater you installed were bad for some reason but it sounds like everything on that end is cool

  • 5 years ago

    Starter solenoid, most likely. Follow the thick red cable from the battery to an assembly that has 4 posts on it. They usually only cost about $10 or so.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    You apparently made a poor connection when you replaced the terminal connection. The wire must be clean and shiny, no corrosion. Clean both terminals and posts till they are shiny

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    On my Farmall A, I cleaned out the starter thinking that was it, it was spotless, so i tried using different batteries and different levels of power. it turns out the battery was fully charged, my alternator took care of that, the battery wasn't strong enough.

    so, my advise to you is to find an owners manual and see if you are using the right volt. good luck. jake

  • 1 decade ago

    may be a faulty battery

    the new testers test not only for bad cells, but also

    'cold cranking amps' which is the standard for batteries

    is terminal clamp secure? good connection?

    cable wothy of cranking?

  • Dug48
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Could be the alternator or the starter that needs replacement.

  • 1 decade ago

    You have a bad connection, you need to redo them and make sure they are connected real good and clean and tight

  • koma
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    sounds like poor battery connection

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.