Electrical System Problem

[Reprobation14]

Okay, so im driving along yesterday on the highway... and out of no where.. my entire electrical system dies.. but quickly restarts it's self..

the dash lights dimed nearly all the way down.. the speedometer died (tach, fuel, and heat gauges stayed though?), my deck completely cut off (which it never does, even when you turn it off - it just displays the time.. in this case.. it went completely black on the display)..

I noticed the day before it got this serious, that as i was driving, occationally when i would use my brakes and have my radio on, the radio would die as soon as i put my breaks on, but then return to playing about 1 1/2 seconds later..

okay.. so wtf do you guys think is going on.. D:

thanks for all the help/suggestions/comments!

-Chris

[Sonicxtacy02]

Check and clean your battery terminals. If you do this well and the problem is still there you probably need a new alternator.

[Reprobation14]

Took your advice, looked under the hood, and sure enough.. there was enough corosion on the positive terminal to choke a horse, i left some coke to eat away at it.. and i scrubed it with a tooth brush for awhile.. that should take care of it correct?

if not what or how would you recommend i clean it? disconnect it and just scrub it till its all gone? (might do that tomorrow anyways..)

[insomniac]

use baking soda, that has worked for me alot.
first put some baking sode in a cup with a lil water to make it look like sludge then put it on the terminals and let it sit for a bit then scrub away.

[xXx_OTEP_xXx]

i had the same problem and solved it by cleaning the terminals with a wire brush..