Hi,
1978 Starfire, 305 V8. Manual trans. No changes have been made to the car electrically or mechanically since last year (when it worked fine). This year (May) I got it out of storage and brought it home. It started and ran perfectly. I finished putting the windows back in and replaced the window trim. Went to move it back into the garage and it wouldn't start. Thought that was odd as the Optima battery is very strong, but realized I had backed the car in and out of the garage over the past week while working on the windows and had the doors open while I was working (I know, I should have unhooked the battery) so I figured maybe it was just run down from that. Put the charger on it and it started right up, put it in the garage and left it there without moving or starting it for a few weeks. Got in it last night to move it out of the garage and because it hadn't been started in a few weeks I had to pump the gas and try a few times to start it. Before it would start, all electrical (except clock) shut down. No dome light, no radio, no headlights, nothing. OK, it's been hot and the battery did not have a tender on it, I put the charger on it and left it overnight. This morning got in it, dome light on, Tried to start it and it turned over a couple of times and then the electrical system shut down again. Got out checked the battery, it's fine (12.8 volts) put the charger on it again and it went up to 100%. Opened the door and the dome light came on. Turn the ignition to on and the radio works. Try to start the car and as soon as I turn the key to start, the electrical system shuts down. Get out, put the charger on again, reads 100%, leave the charger on, open the door, dome light on, pull the headlight switch out, electrical system shuts down. Unhook the headlights. Charger still reads 100% (I'm sure now that the battery is not the problem) try to start the car again, electrical system shuts down. Nothing but the clock works (makes sense as clock has a direct feed to the battery). Get out, unhook the battery charger. Ponder for a while, take the air cleaner off. Open the door, dome light back on. Try to start the car. Electrical system shuts down.
It seems that if I let the car sit for a few minutes, the electrical system will reset itself, but if any major power (lights, ignition) is applied it shuts back down.
Any ideas on what my problem is?
Thanks,