'85 5KT: Chew on this problem, folks!

[rao@pixar.com (Arun Rao)]

	Got back from a six-week vacation in India last week, and was pleasantly
	surprised that the old 5KT started up second crank ...

	Fast forwarding to this afternoon.  I'm heading back from work, *slow*
	traffic, somewhat warm weather, A/C on intermittently, ditto the radio.
	Half-way into the 21 mile ride, battery warning light starts to glow,
	and then the auto-check display also brings up a nice little battery
	picture. Fuel and temperature gauges start dropping, engine seems to
	be OK, but I know (bright boy that I am) that all is not well. 
	"Alternator, voltage regulator or drive-belt," I think to myself 
	and hope I can make it home.  What was I thinking?! About 4 miles from 
	home, engine quits and I manage to coast into the shoulder.

	All electricals are *completely* dead: no lights, not even the temperature
	display on the climate control. Cursory glance at the belt reveals
	nothing, and I go and call for the AAA tow-truck.

	And now the mystery starts. Settling down in the car to wait for the
	truck, I try the ignition just for the heck of it. Car starts right up,
	as if nothing had happened! No weak battery, no nothing !

	Any clue, folks? I've never had lead-acid batteries resurrect themselves,
	so this must be advanced German engineering in action.

	Baffled so far but thinking hard,

	Arun

	'85 5KT, 108K miles

-- 
Arun Rao
Scientist
Pixar
1001 W. Cutting Blvd.
Pt. Richmond, CA 94804
(510)215-3526