Gauges, radio, etc off while driving

[wikisi9]

I went grocery shopping earlier today. After I got back to my car, I started her up and just left. It was busy as hell and just wanted to get out of there. Anyways, it wasn't till a couple of minutes later till I realized my radio was off. I looked at the gauge cluster and noticed nothing was working. None of the gauges were working, no radio, no HUD, nothing!

At the first red light, I turned off my car so I could start it back up and hopefully everything would work again, BUT... it didn't friggin start!!! I turned the key and nothing would happen. No click, no nothing! After the 20th time or so it finally started, right as the light turned green. (phew) Everything worked again.

What could this be? I know about the ignition switch recall so that's the first thing that came to my mind. I bought it used so I don't know if the previous owner had the ignition switch replaced or not, but I know I didn't. Could the ignition switch be the culprit here? Has anyone had this happen before?

[Scottydoggs]

could be a busted off ground, or breaking off. tranny bell housing bolt with the bat neg cable are a few more grounds, make sure they are tight clean not coming off the eyelets.

before that, make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight.

[wikisi9]

I know the battery terminals are clean and tight, but I didn't check any other grounds. I will tomorrow. Thanks. You would think this to be more likely than the ignition switch?

[Scottydoggs]

sounds more like a bad ground to me, never heard of the ignition harness causing any of that stuff.

what year is your car?

[wikisi9]

It's a 2006. Got 261k miles. Gulp!

[Scottydoggs]

damn, it used to deliver pizzas or something? lol i got 240.000 on the body of my 98 regal. stuffs still holding up somewhat lol

[rynoman03]

My car has done this when the alternator failed while going down the road. Your car will run as long as you have your foot on the gas. I Drove it 20 more miles and coasted into town into a parking lot.

[lola]

Honk the horn.

Seriously.

If it sounds like it's dying or it's quiet, it is a voltage issue.

Have the battery and alternator tested (they're easy to remove so take them to a parts store and have them ran on their machines)...see what that gets you.

[Scottydoggs]

they got battery testers that test the voltage and load on the battery, no need to take anything off to be tested.

[wikisi9]

Thanks guys. But I've got yet another new problem with the car. At this point I feel like blowing the piece of **** up with some tannerite

[91parkave]

the harness at the fusbox comes loose causing intermittent issues like this. Grab a 7mm and tighten those bolts at the fuse box see if it helps