My MX5 power dies when I turn the ignition?

[Dr KT]

Hi All,

My MX5 sometimes loses all electrical power when I turn the ignition key.

Eg:

Get in car, all interior lights are fine, alarm light on, dashboard lights on.

One click of the key, and everything dies.

I have started to work around the problem but disconnecting a battery terminal, and then reconnecting it.

any ideas? Someone in the office mentioned relay problems?

Regards,

Dr KT.

[Dr KT]

Any ideas chaps?

[pmanson]

Bad earth somewhere?

[MX-5 Lazza]

Sounds like a bad battery earth connection to me.

[Dr KT]

Cheers.

I think the battery might be hitting the bodywork, causing issues?

Will have a look.

Dr KT.

[pmanson]

While the battery is out of the car it may be worth cleaning up both the terminals on the battery and the clamps.

Ours was moving about a bit causing the positive terminal to move about causing issues starting (eg it wouldn't) and that could have been after a long drive or after stopping at the petrol station.

All seems to be sorted now though.

[MX-5 Lazza]

If the battery has been moving around for some time the earth strap might be coming loose at the battery of bodywork end. Make sure all connections are good and tight.

[NiceCupOfTea]

MX-5 Lazza said:

If the battery has been moving around for some time the earth strap might be coming loose at the battery of bodywork end. Make sure all connections are good and tight.

This ^^^

I came out of work once and the car was utterly dead. The earth strap had broken from a badly secured battery sliding around . Tried to bodge it with odd results - electrics were fine until I tried to start when everything died (too much current being pulled through a dodgy connection).

AA bloke came out and jury-rigged it, and I fitted the correct battery and clamps - no bother since.

[Dr KT]

Cheers guys.

The battery is indeed not seculrty clamped, so will get that done.

Regards,

KT