'02 SS - new battery on 08/17, shows 12.6 volts with DMM.
Sometimes, open door, no dome light, insert key, no beeping, no dash lights, nothing. She ran perfect the previous trip.
Remove both battery cables, wire brush both posts and cables and reattach. She starts and runs normal for the next two times.
Third time to start - same symptoms - dead. Hmm, clean posts & cables, starts and runs good, dash voltmeter shows good charging.
Runs good for the next three times, then fourth time dead. Clean posts & cables, she starts. Second time of starting - dead as before and she has been sitting for six days.
I thought I would ask for suggestions when I go to look this weekend. Thank you. All connections topside of engine compartment are tight and each relay has been unplugged and plugged back in and so have fuses.

 

Had similar problem once w/LT1 car. Turned out the fuel pump was bad and apparently my efforts to start it wiped out the battery. Have you tested alternator? Starter? good luck fixing it soon. check all grounds?

 

Have you cleaned the other end of the cable. Sounds like the wiggling of the cable is having an effect.

If it is still acting up I would do a voltage drop test. With your volt meter positive lead on the battery and the negative lead on the junction block for the chassis power. If everything is ok you will read less than ½ volt. If you read over 1 volt the cable should be cleaned on both ends or replace the cable. If you read 0 volt or 12 volts then check the power to ground.

 

I would suspect one of the battery cables are bad. may be a bad connection between the wires and the cable end. have seen that on the boat before. replaced cables and problem was solved.

 

Thank you, Guys, for the suggestions. Yes, place meter leads on the posts as to read the 'connection' between the cable terminal, cable itself, the crimps, and the surface contact between the clamp and post.

I could open drvr door, insert key in ign switch, and while troubleshooting, listen for the dings, being the troubleshooting tool ...

 

may try cleaning the connectors at the junction boxes, if the 02 has them. my son has my 2000 so can't go check,,, lol. the 93 has both a positive and negative box on the passenger side fender well.

 

Well, a little troubleshooting this PM.
Raised hood, insert key, no beeper.
Unscrewed POS cable and, of course sparks. Removed POS cable, wire brushed both sides of battery pad and OE cable, and reattached.
Screw is too short, only a couple threads engage, but snug cable, and beeping stopped.
Loosen cable, have beeper. Tighten cable to battery, no beeper. Loosen cable, have beeping. and dome lights.
Left cable loose 1/2 turn from snug, inserted wire brush between cable and battery case, have beeper.
Left as is, wedge in place, she runs great.
So I guess an added equipment is wire brush for wedging cable against battery.
Cannot tighten connection of cable to battery to continue working. All OE equipment.
Okay you Professional mechanics, explain this one.

 

beginning to wonder if the battery is the problem... do you have another around you could switch it with. see if problem follows the battery.

 

Sounds like a fitment issue between the terminal end and the battery "post". The post on the battery may be a little too big around for the opening on the back side of the rubber shroud to fit around, or, your battery might have a raised "protection" ring around the post. Either one could cause the shroud to be in the way, preventing the cable end from making good contact. Remove cable and have a look see. I've run into that problem before, and trimmed off the back side of the shroud to get it out of the way. Why it gets worse when tightening the connection more makes no sense though.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Again this PM, removed wedge, tighten connection, no go.
Removed cable and wire brushed the bejesus, and reattached AND tighten - GOOD.
Screw needs to be a little longer, only catching the first two threads, OE cable.
Still working.