'94 Geo Tracker Ramdom Shut Down/Restart

[Newfoundlancer]

Hey guys,
I just found these forums in an effort to narrow down a problem I've been having since yesterday. It all began when I was driving and hit what I'd call a dividing section of road... basically the same as if you went over a bridge with a rough dip at both ends. It was by no means a super horrible bump, but enough to produce a quick hard shake. Anyways, immediately thereafter the tracker bogged down and the check engine light and seatbelt light came on for about 2 seconds, then power came back and the warning lights went off again. Basically, the tracker shut off and then jump-started itself back up. Since then, with almost every small bump I go over, it does the same thing.. a quick 1-second shut down then restart. I looked around the engine compartment for loose wiring, or a snapped off ground which could be shaking and losing connection temporarily, but I didn't see anything. As with a lot of '94's the fenders are rusted apart and letting moderate water into the engine bay on wet days (been raining the past 2 days), but the fact that it's only happening when I go over a bump seems to be saying it's not a water-logged connection, but something loose.

Could this be a sign of my altenator starting to go, or distributor/coil? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm sure it will probably be easier to diagnose once the problem finally makes the tracker shut off permanently, but as for now it's intermittant and hard to track down.

Thanks.

PS: Yea, I messed up the thread title a little... haha... RaNdom, not RaMdom

[Shconer]

I would suggest removing the battery terminals and using a good battery cleaner and clean them with a battery post cleaning tool or a wire brush and re-attach. You might find that there to loose in witch case you'll need to shim them.

[Newfoundlancer]

Just realized I hadn't updated this.... anyways, just to let you all know that what it was was the fuse box in the front right section of the engine bay was rusted out from below. Where the inner wheel well had rusted out previously, ice, snow, and salt had been able to flick up at the bottom of the fuse box giving it a lovely green oxidized makeover. Anyways, new fuse box is in.. and she's up and running once more.

[jtgh]

that fuse box is a high failure on all kicks.
sometimes , on only on the inside of the connector, then progressing to burning of
insulation.

Many posts here for that.
great troubleshooting, !