Weird problem, 88 90Q with Clifford alarm

[Huw Powell]

On 11/14/2010 7:26 PM, Vincent Gelinas wrote:
> 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?

The one I took out of the grey car because it wasn't charging.  Swapped 
in the 5-6 year old one from the black car.

> Replacing the ground strap is on my list of
> things to do.

The black car has a big fat Walmart 2 AWG cable from battery to 
transmission mounting bolt.  The ("new") grey one has the stock flat 
braided cable.

 > 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.

So have you taken it apart and cleaned it yet?

> 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?

I hope not.

PS, I have a spare engine if you need it.  Heck, I have 2 3/4 spare 90Qs 
here...

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/