I have a 1997 SW1 with 384 xxx kms. It runs great and still gets 600-700 km on $40 of gas. When I try to start the car occasionally won't start. it won't turn over, just dead. If I tap the steering wheel, tap the clutch slam the doors/hood or pull on the positive battery terminal, the car will then start. Sometimes while the car is off, but the ignition is turned (I'm listening to the radio) the power will suddenly die. But if I tap the steering wheel, tap the clutch slam the doors/hood or pull on the positive battery terminal power will come back. Also, when taking off in first (the cars standard) in low rpm the traction control will come on and the ABS light will come on (last week the car stalled when this happened. I have tested the battery and the starter, both are great. We have replaced the clutch switch and the ignition switch Before any of this happened we installed fog lights on the car. Any ideas? Thanks...

 

Yeah - replace the positive battery cable

 

agreed the cable is probably just bad enough to cause an intermittent problem.

 

also check for cracked housing on battery near positive terminal--the terminal may be separating/cracking

and stop pulling on it