2006 Chevy Impala while driving goes dead

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bokishi2001

2006 Chevy Impala while driving goes dead

My car had to be jumped after sitting for some time. I took it to the shop to get the rack and pinion fixed and they had no problems with it starting and said the battery was fine. When I went back to the shop after picking up the car it would not start... Completely dead. The terminal wires were loose. Those were tightened and it started and has since till today. I started it up backed out of a parking space and when I put it in Drive it just died and I mean died. No lights no click no anything and when this happens my key sticks in the ignition and will not come out till the power is back. I had a jump and it clicked and the lights came on ect.... then we waited a bit and it would do nothing, no lights, nothing. Then the man moved the jumper cable and the lights came on and it started... I came straight home and now it is completely dead again. I also noticed their seems to be a delay in shifting and the power is not there. What can this be. I have been without a car for months. My 2000 Taurus transmission just out of the blue quit on me. It jerked a few times then the warning light came on and then nothing had to coast to the side of the road. Tranny fluid every where and this car is like brand new. Has less than 80,000 miles on it. It sat for a couple yrs and I bought it from my 90 yr old neighbor.
Now I am car less again,
Thank you,
Karen

Status: Open Nov 16, 2023 - 08:58 PM

Chevrolet, Ford

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Jay_CarParts.com

Dec 04, 2023 - 09:40 PM

Hi there,

It could be a case of a loose or poor electrical connection somewhere in the alternator or battery circuitry. You can go through all the socket connectors and wirings to check for corroded terminals, wires, pushed out wiring socket terminals, and grounded portions. The intermittent case of loosing electrical power could also be indicative of a faulty alternator. Click this link for more info about this problem from our CarParts resource blog. We also have additional details about a bad battery vs a bad alternator. Click this link to see comparisons and information to help you to identify problem sources. I hope all the information will guide you to identify the problem in your car.

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BNovosel

Nov 16, 2023 - 09:07 PM

Before all this steps, just open the hood and try pushing the PLUS AND MINUS connections down and tighten it. Its possible they get loose while driving.

Battery and Electrical Connections: Since the car started after tightening the terminal wires, the issue could be related to the battery or its connections. Loose, corroded, or damaged terminals can cause intermittent power loss. Despite the shop's assessment, the battery itself could still be weak or failing, especially if it's old or has been drained multiple times. Alternator Issues: The alternator charges the battery while the car is running. If it's failing, it can't keep the battery charged, leading to the car dying while driving. The symptoms you described (car dying suddenly, electrical systems not working) could be indicative of an alternator problem. Ignition Switch: The fact that your key gets stuck in the ignition when the car dies suggests there could be an issue with the ignition switch. A faulty ignition switch can lead to power being cut off from essential systems. Transmission Concerns: The delay in shifting and lack of power could be transmission-related. This might be separate from the electrical issues, but a malfunctioning transmission can also affect the overall performance of the car. General Electrical System Check: Given the varied nature of the symptoms, a comprehensive check of the car's electrical system by a professional is advisable. This should include checking the wiring, fuses, and any on board computer systems.

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Mitgrove

Nov 19, 2023 - 11:42 AM

Check all battery connections, get your battery tested by a shop to ensure it doesn't need to be replaced, check the engine wiring harness (should be up in the fire wall) it could've gotten unplugged or loosened, and lastly have a shop check the alternator. Could be going out and causing you to lose electrical power.

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Carproblems

Dec 03, 2023 - 04:44 PM

This is a very common issue with the impala for a few years in the early 2000's. Actually an ignition issue, you have to replace the ignition (yes, where the key goes in). It thinks there's no key in it.

if you don't want to replace it with the same defective type you can upgrade to a push button start with a fab.

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Buddyboy

Jan 01, 2024 - 11:11 AM

Could be lose or rusty crozoded battery cables or bad alternator

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Very detailed and helpful analysis, BNovosel! Appreciate the great effort!
Thank you all for responding. I really appreciate it... The guys from the shop came and picked it up and it was the ends that were put on the battery cables. They had a loose connection so now I have brand new ones. Starts every time, but my transmission after I drive it a while starts slipping.. That's all I need is two cars with transmission problems. Maybe I just need a bicycle. lol
Yes. Precisely. This could be a case of a poor electrical connection due to the intermittent malfunctioning of the battery at some point in time. Thank you, Mitgrove!
It's great to have different perspectives on this topic. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Carproblems!
Thank you for the help. My daughters dad put new ends on the battery cables and they were not on good enough. lol Should have done it my
self.

2006 Chevy Impala while driving goes dead

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