# Weird problems with 2003 Oldsmoblie Alero

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 25, 2007, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195 "2007-07-25T17:55:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![joelle66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joelle66](https://community.cartalk.com/u/joelle66)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2007, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195/1 "2007-07-25T17:55:54Z")

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Over the past week, as I have been driving along, all of a sudden the radio and air conditioner quit working. All of the lights on the control panel also go out. I am unable to lower the power windows, but the car continues to run. When the car is turned off and restarted, the problems resolves for a while but then it suddenly happens again. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![myronwms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4da419/32.png) [@myronwms](https://community.cartalk.com/u/myronwms)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195/2 "2007-07-25T19:25:55Z")

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Weak battery. Real question is why? It may be just that – a weak battery. Or a failing alternator, or corroded battery cables. Start by cleaning – shiny bright – both ends of ALL battery cables. Then have the charging system tested. That should indicate whether it is the alternator or battery or both.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195/3 "2007-07-25T22:23:54Z")

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I will add a bad ground, likely to the dashboard.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195/4 "2007-07-26T01:45:42Z")

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I had a similar problem with my Pontiac van recently. Turned out it was bad wiring at the ignition switch, and a bad ignition switch too.

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**Author:** ![joelle66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joelle66](https://community.cartalk.com/u/joelle66)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2007, 5:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195/5 "2007-07-26T05:23:45Z")

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Thank you to everyone for your help. I will try all of the above.

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weird-problems-with-2003-oldsmoblie-alero/2195/6 "2007-07-26T14:53:02Z")

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Besides the areas previously mentioned check the power panel under the hood also for a bad connection problem. To help locate the trouble you could try tapping lightly on suspected areas with a screwdriver handle.