2005-2014 Mustangs Discussions on the latest S197 model Mustangs from Ford.

Weird electrical/battery issue??

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Old Sep 4, 2015 | 11:51 AM
  #1  
Mobiusone stang's Avatar
Mobiusone stang
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Default Weird electrical/battery issue??

Hey guys, something just happened today that I really need yalls help with because I'm kinda freakin out. I go out to my car this morning, turn the car on, two clicks and everything dies. Well crap, battery is dead. I go to take the battery out, undo the negative terminal. As I'm turning, the terminal sparks then everything comes on! Even the HID headlights, which I hadn't turned on in the car at all. After that, after loosening both terminals, everything works fine! I have no idea what is going on. When I went to take the battery out, both terminals were pretty tight. I got the battery checked, both battery and alternator are fine. Can Yall offer any explanation? Bad terminal connection? Bad ground? I'm mildy freakin out here haha
Old Sep 5, 2015 | 06:30 AM
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It could've been a bad connection. Try cleaning the battery posts and terminals with a wire brush cleaner.
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 05:13 PM
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I concur, sounds like dirty terminals. Or a bad cable-to-terminal connection.
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 09:01 PM
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I follow what you guys are saying about the terminals, except would that cause the headlights to come on?
Old Sep 7, 2015 | 12:07 AM
  #5  
Mobiusone stang's Avatar
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Yea that was the really weird thing Art. The door was open, so the driving lights should be on, but when the battery became connected, I heard and saw the HIDs and their distinctive noise turn on. The switch was in the off position the whole time. Kinda a mystery to me lol. The car works great now after 3 days so... Possessed car and all haha
Old Sep 7, 2015 | 07:29 AM
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Did the headlights stay on? When I disconnect/reconnect the battery on my '10, the HIDs turn on briefly (less than a second or two).
Old Sep 7, 2015 | 11:54 AM
  #7  
Mobiusone stang's Avatar
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Nah they turned off right away once it stayed connected, about two seconds like you said. I wonder if thats like a safety feature to say like hey your battery is connected ya numty lol
Old Sep 7, 2015 | 08:46 PM
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Okay, now I have a clue on the HIDs.

Back in the day, the headlight switch mechanically completed an electrical circuit to illuminate the headlights. Today, just about everything goes through a computer. The headlight switch probably signals the computer to turn the lights on, and connecting the battery probably signals the computer to turn the lights on for just a couple of seconds, even if the headlight switch is off.
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