Weird problem, 88 90Q with Clifford alarm

[Vincent Gelinas]

On 11/14/2010 7:19 PM, Huw Powell wrote:
> Thanks, but I, um, fixed it once I discovered the weird voltage 
> discrepancy.  Mostly a dirty battery cable connector. Hmmm, I wonder 
> if that battery was OK after all, just not getting a good ground?
>
>> I have a similar problem caused by a bad ground cable from my battery.
>> It likes to come loose on the terminal every so often... if it's the
>> original ground strap, try tapping it near the bolt on the terminal.
>> Sometimes this will just cause things to die when i turn the key on.
>> Maybe this will help?
>>
>> V
>>
>
Which battery, my friend?  Replacing the ground strap is on my list of 
things to do.  I discovered this delicious little oddity as I was 
cranking my car repeatedly.  Turn my key on, and POOF! no power.  Took 
out my screwdriver, tapped the terminal connector, and power was restored.

In other news, my car died the other night and cranks over rarely and 
you can hear the fuel pump whining, so I'm replacing it with a Bosch 
part (only 150 including 1 day shipping on Amazon).  When she /did/ 
crank over after I did an oil change and tried to fire up to check for 
leaks from the filter and plug, my fiancee reported a  plume of white 
smoke from my tailpipe when I revved the engine.  Is that water/coolant 
burning and signifying a head gasket?

V