99 NL 3.5L V6 Won't Start

[Eberbachl]

Hi Everyone,

Strange issue here. My NL runs great, no dramas at all, only 180k kms on the clock. All good...

Until tonight. Was driving about, engine hot and stopped to pick my son up from a party. Parked for about ten minutes. Got back in the car, nothing! Lost all electrical power. No lights, no dash lights, no turn over... Nothing. Tried a few times and the lights would flick on then die. Rested another few minutes, tried another couple of times, then out of the blue, all lights turned on, turned over and started instantly. Drive home perfectly fine.

I'm wondering if it's a faulty relay somewhere, but have no clue as to where to start looking or how to test. Battery is a couple of years old but seems to be holding strong charge and the alternator is only about eight months old. I don't think it's a charging issue as when the lights came back on there was plenty of power and the motor turned over fine and started instantly.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Luke. 👍

[MSF]

Check the Battery terminals

[Eberbachl]

Battery terminals are clean and tight. 👍

[Kingbrown]

What about the main negative lead from the battery where it connects to the body of the vehicle. Is that CLEAN and TIGHT ?

[stumagoo]

if the wiring is all good then its probably either the battery is dieing or the starter motor is ..... the 3rd less likely and most horrible option is the engine is heat seizing.... lets not think of that option

[Eberbachl]

Thanks for the ideas. Turns out the battery died. It had plenty of power but was intermittent and cutting out - either full power or zero power. Replaced the battery today and all good so far. Phew!