when i go over a railroad track or other really bumpy section of road my truck shuts off for a second, the tranny downshifts and it revs really high for a second (roll starts itself i presume), then everything returns to normal.


what the heck is going on?

i don't have a clue what would make that happen?

is your shift linkage adjusted properly, tight?
Check loose wires at the battery terminals and grounds

Also check the connection for the wiring harness at the computer

You said the truck shuts off??? Does everything shut down, engine, lights, dash, gages? Or it just pops out of gear?

no it totally shuts down. at first i thought it was a tranny problem too, but the radio and all the lights go off as well- lol.

i have checked quite a few connections- i just don't get how any connection can be loose and then get knocked off so that it shuts down then magically re-attach, but thats what seems to be happening. its done this like ten times in the last two days.

That's kinda crazy, like 410 said and the only thing I could think of is the connection to the battery if everything shuts off. But I don't know how it would restart on it's own.

i had the same thing happen, it was a loose batt terminal. chekc them carefully.

but look at them- and their tight.

btw- this is a lesson to all those who want big subs- they mess crap up.

Originally posted by TravisC
But I don't know how it would restart on it's own.

Is this even possible?!? If it is, it's definitely not the battery.

yeah, its like it just gets shaken but then rights itself after like 5 seconds. its very strange someone has to have experienced this?

replace the ground strap from battery to frame and engine.

Also you need to check that Optima, could be loose internally.........

If you lose EVERYTHING it has to be the battery, plain and simple.

Just because they are tight doesnt mean they are right

In the meantime, stay away from railroad tracks... seriously.

hey, where is that grounding strap located?

i should just upgrade it while i'm going it (would be good for my audio stuff) and i have an extra mobilspec high quality strap.

anyways, my truck is so low i can't crawl under to look so i just want to make sure it will be easy enought o reach or not (so i can plan how long it will take)

yikes.....well on the 4.0L trucks the ground cable (large one) leaves the battery, goes straight down to the frame, right near the oil filter. It bolts to the frame, but keeps on going.

then there is a strap from here to the engine....

Personally I would look at the battery carefully, Optima's have a great track record but that doesnt mean some dont have their problems......

Have you tried really bumping the terminals while its running?????????

:)

How about some softer springs and shocks?
Or take those tires down to 12 psi....hahahaha

These kinds of problems SUCK I know, I have had my share..........

A few weeks ago I went to Carquest at lunch to inquire about a tranny temp gage. Came back out, turn key, starter "click"

Since its an auto I was dead in the water.

Tried to jump starter solenoid "click"
Got under truck removed starter
take starter in for testing, works fine.

Pull starter wires out of truck (these are my wires I have run twice now, once with engine conversion, once when headers fried those) up near battery, hook up starter, use a spare wire for the ground, turn key "click"

Go inside but new wires, re-install starter and run wire around hood, through fender to starter touch to battery terminal and she fires up....

Go home, pull starter, pull wires, replace wires with all new stuff from hardware store, route through heat guards, etc, solder everything, works perfect.

Funny thing is the wires I pulled out were perfect, I still cannot find anything that was wrong with them!!! Oh well....$15 fix and some Solder and flux....back on the road.......

i upgraded my main battery to engine ground a few months ago. i'll get under there and do the strap asap.

as well as check the battery out

Double check the alternator connections, and the ignition fuse...

gotta be the battery. either the terminaly is crusty or the post is somewhat severed just inside the battery. crank it, and while its idling tap on either terminal with a pair of pliers etc.

if its not that, its a loose/semi broken ground strap.

Originally posted by james t
gotta be the battery. either the terminaly is crusty or the post is somewhat severed just inside the battery. crank it, and while its idling tap on either terminal with a pair of pliers etc.

if its not that, its a loose/semi broken ground strap.

But how do you explain the damn thing re-starting up?

i had to drive it last night to go pick up some of my brothers minor friends that the cops were taking care of.

it shut off about five times in the 30 minute drive down to where they were (this was downtown after the 50 cent concert) i work today and tomorrow up here, but i'll go home to my parents saturday night and try to solve the problem.


thanks for the help- i still can't figure out how it comes back on

just remember it HAS to be a loose wire connection somewhere, or a loose connection inside the battery.....

Maybe borrow a battery and swap them out.
I have seen Optimas go bad MANY times.
My friend works at the OPtima plant and I get them CHEAP, I have owned 8 to date (car and boat) and 2 of them have been returned for new ones.........

look again at that first picture i posted. the answer to this problem lies there-in.

once i figured it out it all made perfect sense- see if you can see what i might have been.

i have a relay that if i go over a bump really fast or if i tap it while under the hood it will like trip the motor ?? could that be your problem jsut trying to help PEACE

was the hood shorting out your battery????

I mount my Optima on it's side, it fits the battery tray better...

Do I get a cookie?

i'm looking at that second red wire sitting right next to the black one.

Originally posted by 410Fortune
Do I get a cookie?

ROFL, thats too funny. Ooh and nice cobra engine. ;) I dont see anything wrong but if you say its there then i just have to look harder.

What was wrong with it?

Yea whats the prob?? Im stumped...

So what did the problem turn out to be?:eek:

410 you got it! i'm actually amazed that you figure that one out. it wasn't anything a bfh didn't fix in 20 seconds though.