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Mimics dead battery but its not the usual suspects

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evrchanging-ecl

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I was adjusting the positive terminal because it was loose and the car seemed like it had a dead battery. As I went to tighten it my ring touched the car's frame and I quickly realised, with the help of a few sparks, that I had forgoten to disconnect the negative. My ring is busted but im fine. I disconnect the negative, finish the job and head home. The car, 97 eclipse gs 2.0, ran fine. I left it undriven for the weekend, get in to go to work and the car has no power. No dash lights, headlights, interior lights, radio, nothing. I take the key out and lift the hatchback, no "trunk open light" I go to readjust the terminals, they are tight. Volt drop tested the grounds, they are fine, replaced the ECU with a spare, that didn't do it. Got the battery checked out, full volts and amps. Checked the battery fuse (60amp in fuse box above the alternator fuse) its still intact. I volt drop tested the positive terminal to the aforementioned fuse and it read 3-4 volts. I don't know if that's normal.

Has anyone run into this problem before? Please help. I'm running out of ideas. And does anyone have any ideas as to what to volt or ohm test. I only have a multimeter but I'm comfortable using it.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Just to double check, if I used a voltmeter and put the positive lead on the positive terminal and the negative on the transmission bell housing (the grounded surface) and it reads 12.45 v. Is that an indication that it is fully grounded?
 
#8 ·
Also you say the ring is busted. It need to have complete solid contact (meaning you need to fix that ring). I've seen cars with similar condition at the battery connection and it's not reliable. Seemed tight and good to start but wouldn't. Readjust the ring or hold it with your fingers and the car would start.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I've got new battery terminal rings and I'm going to put them in tonight. I know the fusible link is supposed to be 80-100 but I researched and couldn't find its location the only closest one I found was the one I checked. Does anyone know where the fusible link is in a 97 eclipse gs?
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Alright. I switched out both fusible links, switched out the negative battery terminal connection, scratched into the trans bell housing at the ground bolt to ensure metal contact after cleaning up the ground connection itself, switched out the mfi relay (because its in the circuit from the battery to the dash). Still no power anywhere in the car. I have looked for fallen cables and there are none. And I volt drop tested the ground connection again. Still 12.5 v means the ground connection it good.
 
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