Car turns off while driving

[rbell2915]

1992 Riviera 206K miles. Intermittent complete loss of all electrical power. Everything will flick off then back on in a fraction of a second as if you pulled the key from the ignition. ABS, seat belt, SRS lights go through their routines as if I just started the engine, as I'm going down the road. The radio also turns off then on but does not lose time or memory. I have checked the battery terminals and cleaned and checked the fusible links at the distribution center by the coolant tank. I have wiggled and tugged on the harness that runs from the distribution center. No change. Leaning toward ignition switch but there is no problem starting, it starts and runs perfectly until it starts this intermittent problem. Anyone else experience this? If ignition switch where can I find one? Searching Amazon, AutoZone, Napa, etc come up empty. Do other cars use this same switch?

 

[Mad_Coachman]

Did you CLEAN all battery terminals or just look at them? You are probably on the right path with the ignition but make sure to check your grounds first.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Did you CLEAN all battery terminals or just look at them? You are probably on the right path with the ignition but make sure to check your grounds first.

in addition I would verify the leads dont have a pulled loose wiring or a wiring fault where its shorting and not able to handle the loads. The cable has a far.. wait.. 92.. thats underhood? I dont remember, but nvm about the distance part. Those engine to battery grounds, chassis to battery, and engine to chassis grounds are finicky. I would pull the cables out of the rubber coat thing and clean them up, they get corroded where you cant touch em sometimes! are your battery screws long enough and making positive contact deep into the side posts

I had this issue on my 1990, I had to actually use a washer because the screw was too long and the cables couldnt hold tightly.

 

[Amanda Hugenkiss]

This was my car, what it ended up being was the negative terminal was slightly loose, the threads were stripped. Found it by accident. I could have sworn I had checked the terminals for tightness but apparently not. I had that thing torn apart inside looking for faults. Lesson learned, absolutely verify the simplest stuff first. If it's a whole-car issue, it's likely something to do with the battery or it's connections. A new battery terminal bolt fixed it.