today i had my car out on the highway and it just died on me. i noticed my speedo goin a lil crazy and then it just shut down. so i pulled over and it wouldn't run unless i held the key forward. so after letting it sit for a couple minutes it started and ran enough to get me home. they battery gauge is/was in the red marks. what caused this to happen? is it the alternator? the battery? although the batter isn't but a couple years old. let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

 

Those are almost identical symptoms I had when my opti went out. If the alternator fails your electrical systems will drain power from the battery till there isnt anymore, then it will die.

 

i had the same problem before, turns out it was the connections on the battery terminal not being tight enough

 

well i changed out the alternator and it still does the same thing. it fires then when i release the key to the "on" position it just dies again. the car won't remain running unless the key is all the way forward. what could this be? i checked the battery and made sure things were tight. the negative side bolt/connector was stripped so i got it as tight as possible w/ out strippin it to much. let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

Andrew

 

Maybe the ignition switch broke?

 

When you turn the key to the "on" position, without trying to start the engine, does the dash light up the way its supposed to?

 

Does seem to sound like an ignition switch issue. If needed, there are instructions on how to replace the switch on my Tech Page.

 

i talked w/ a friend of mine who is a mechanic and thats what he said it was too. the dash lights don't come on when the key is in the on position. but what would explain the low battery? i guess it don't matter now when i replaced the alternator. the battery checked out to be ok so that's not it. i have the switch. does anyone know how long it takes to replace it?

Thanks

Andrew

 

I knew it was ignition switch when I read the thread title. Mine did the same thing, speedo would go crazy, car would shut off for no reason, I would have to have the key turned in the "on" position to keep the car running......

Anyways, its an easy fix. it will take you about 2 hours to do, maybe less.

 

Check the power dist. block (red box) that sits behind your batt. to make sure all connections are tight.