I searched, looked through the archives and FAQ's, read Pele's "won't start" thread. But it all comes down to I don't even know where to begin on this problem, I don't know what to search for.

So the car was running perfectly fine, no problems when I shut it off one day. Two days later when I went to start it again, the problem started.

When I get in and turn the key to the "ACC" position I get a little clicking noise like I'm repeatedly turning the car from "off" to "ACC" and the stereo and everything else electric in the car flickers on and off. Also, the guage cluster lights all turn 1/2 way on and are faintly lit while flickering on and off.

Know if I turn the key to the "on" position, right before cranking the volt meter drops down real low, the lights all go off, everything stops flickering, but the rpms go up to 500rpms, even though the engine isn't cranking at all. The motor wont crank and I have no idea where to start on the problem. I have had a battery charger hooked up for about an hour and there is still no difference.

If any one has any, any, suggestion or lead on what to search, no matter how wild, I am willing to try, I need to get my DD going again to be getting to school. Thanks in advance.

 

I'm thinking maybe a really bad ground connection for the positive cable from the battery. Any corrosion around there?

 

let me check, thanks.

EDIT: One cable goes around and bolts to the back of the engine, no corrosion, maybe a little grime. The other goes to a brown box labed headlight retractor, and thats in okay, shape, I don't think thats it.

 

bad alternator drained the battery?

I got the clicks and the flickering lights at idle, but on the gas everything was normal. I replaced the alternator and that solved it. Power ain't getting around, that's what I'm guessing.

 

I had a problem where the car wuld run perfectly, but one time the car started getting weird and the volts on the voltmeter went to like 8 1/2 volts. I had midas test the alternator while I got an alignment and they said the alternator wasn't charging properly, so its bad. I bought a 2nd gen one from a member thats on its way. Just a thought. Go get the alternator tested when you can. Good luck

 

I put in a new alternator a year or so ago, is it possible my car ate one that quick? The car isn't acting like the last time the alt went out. The battery is fairly charged and it still wont crank. Tonight I think I may take some things off and clean all the grounds really well.

 

Hmm, thats weird, I thought it would probably be the alternaator. I still would go get the alt checked to make sure. I'm not sure then, Good luck.

 

Keep in mind that an alternator IS an eletrical item and can go out at any time. I've bought an alternator for my old truck before and it didn't last long before it crapped out.

 

Yes, it's possible to have a rebuilt alternator fail in a lot less time than that. If the battery is fully charged, though, I'd look at the grounds. Have you added anything lately, like a stereo or alarm?

 

I'm going with bad battery cables/connections. Look for corrosion underneath the pos battery cable where it connects to the battery. If you find some, you often find that the corrosion has 'grown' down the cable under the sheathing. Check and clean all of the other cable connections too. If that doesn't help, have the battery checked. It may be low on water or it may have dropped a cell.

 

Alright thanks every one. I'll check all this over today and tommorrow and get back to you with my findings. Thanks again.

 

I remember reading a post awhile back about a similar problem and one of the wires on the ignition switch had rusted about in to.

- David

 

Ahh, our 1st Gen's. Full of problems but we love them anyways.

 

Ya, they are awesome.

 

My money is on the battery posts/their connections. Sounds like corrosion to me?



Umm, something really doesnt sound right here... ground connection for the positive cable??? what the heck is that??

 

When I had to replace my positive cable on my battery, there was another cable that lead to................aww crap, I mistook it for the ground cable part. My bad. Good catch, tho.