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Day 1: My 2013 Infiniti JX35 won't start. When I press the ignition button, the car loses all electrical power and I can hear repeated clicks under the hood.

I installed a new battery, and it started up right away and drove fine.

Day 2: The problem came back. Here's what I've done:

  • Checked the voltage on the battery: 12.6
  • Turned on accessories without starting the car: no problems
  • Scanned for codes: no codes

Then I jump-started the car:

  • Jump-start worked
  • Checked the voltage on the (running car) battery: 14.2
  • Disconnected the black terminal on the battery: car continued to run

When I turned the car off and removed the jumper cables, it wouldn't start again.

Day 3:

I went out to the car to check on things, and it was still clicking from the night before.

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  • 1
    Does this answer your question? Car Battery Dying Overnight - Disconnected
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Oct 26, 2020 at 7:07
  • @SolarMike close, but not quite -- I replaced the battery with a new one and the problem persists.
    – Seth
    Commented Oct 26, 2020 at 13:46
  • Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair! It sounds like there is a bad connection at your battery. How well did you clean your battery clamps at the terminals when you put the new battery in? Have you checked to see that they are secured tightly?
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Commented Oct 26, 2020 at 17:26
  • 3
    Before you replace them, just ensure everything is clean and there's a good connection. Also ensure there's no bulging in the cable, which would indicate corrosion within the cable itself (this would mean replacement). If you can get away with cleaning, why replace?
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Commented Oct 26, 2020 at 19:12
  • 1
    "Disconnected the black terminal on the battery: car continued to run" - avoid doing this.
    – Caius Jard
    Commented Oct 28, 2020 at 19:45

1 Answer 1

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This ended up being a bad negative terminal connected to the battery. The vibration at engine start was just enough to disrupt the connection. When I jumped the car, the clamp secured the terminal and the connection -- and, of course, the extra juice helped too.

I confirmed at the dealership (don't judge) that the alternator and starter are fine.

Make sure your battery terminals are tight and clean.

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