First off: Ive been having starter problems, wasnt strong enough, turned engine slowly until it started, took like 5 seconds to get started.

Drove my car to the bank Sat Morning and parked my car. went to start it after i was done and nothing happened when i turned the key, no click from starter, no cranking, no nothing. However i did have battery power, i could roll up and down windows.

Get my car towed to my house. Figured it was my starter(tow truck guy also said it had bad starter symptoms) Got a new starter for it, first try starts up B-E-A-U-tiful. Let it warm up and then turn it off to double check it. went to start it again and it does the same exact thing as it did at the bank. Turn the key, no clicks, but battery power. I noticed a HUGE dip in volts on my cars meter.

A friend installed my starter for me, so i could see how its done. so he jump started my car, we let it warm up again, then i turn on my head lights and the car dies. still doesnt crank. jump it again. then go to the gas station, its night so i have to have my headlights up. i filled it up with gas while its running, dont want to get standed.

i have to give it some gas when i pull up to lights or else it almost dies and it would suck. also we checked my battery for the water level and its low, so tomorrow im gonna get it charged and get the distilled water added.

so here is my question after the essay:

1. Why would all the sudden out of no where my battery just ****.
2. If it isnt my battery why would my alt **** out, but my car should start as i have enough volts to start( ~11 volts key in motor off)?
3. Why does it start sometimes, and sometimes it doesnt?

i know these are vague questions.

anyhelp or experience would help. checked starter wiring also. and cleaned battery posts and connectors.

if charging my battery doesnt work im stumped, other than my alt.

ill have the info on everything being checked out tomorrow.

 

Check for a bad ground or a corroded or frayed wire in the wiring harness, look particularly at the cable between the battery and the starter motor and the main ground. Make sure the battery connections are tight also.

Another possibility is a faulty ignition switch. Get the factory service manual from one of the links in the 2nd gen FAQ and run through the troubleshooting routine.

 

Alternator is probably dead.

 

thanks guys. ill checkit out today.

 

UPDATE!!!!
ALT. is good. so is battery. im doing the big 3 upgrade with 1/0 gage i got it for free, i know overkill. im also getting a Red top, im getting a ******* steal for it...$20 brand new off the shelf. i know people.

if the grounding doesnt fix it then ill be stumped. it starts fine now, its just the same old low voltage thing. lights dim when i hit the brakes. it just bothers me.

 

i have the same exact symptoms in my 1990 na...I just replaced the alternator, because it was bad, but still same problem...haven't checked the battery...that's probably my next guess...i wouldn't trust that alternator though, i heard it takes those mother's a little while to die...guess it might be a bad ground?...hell if i know...i'm too much of a noob to know anyway...until then...the girlfriend will be driving me to work...awesome