I know my battery is getting low on power. I have been having some troubles with the charge light coming on while at idle.

today I went to start my car and all i get is this rapid fire clicking sound. i am not sure if its coming from my starter or my engine bay.

please help with any ideas.

 

This is what happened to me when my alternator died, as what happened to a lot of other people. If you pop your hood the clicking sound you hear should be coming from your airpump, according to rynberg this is because:

You can see my post when this happened to me a couple weeks ago here: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/charge-battery-oil-pressure-coolant-level-lights-all-just-came-348147/

 

Will it stay running if you jump start it? Do you have problems with lights dimming or stereo messing up while driving? Really just sounds like an alternator on it's way out.

 

It won't stay running for long if your alternator goes out. When you disconnect the jumper cables your car will be running on what's left in the battery. When the battery runs out of juice, then the car dies. If the alternator is good, then your car will run until it is turned off (or stalls).

 

agreed, sounds like the alternator. drive it to the car parts store. its on the top so they can test it in the car for free.

 

well, thanks for all of your reply's!!!!

it is what i figured too... alternator!!!

I jumped the car, drove it around and noticed my voltage dropping. I dont even think I need to test it, but i will for good measure.

I called some auto places and found a alternator for 159.00 w/ a lifetime warranty. seems okay but a little expensive. compared to other places i called the price was 230-240. is there anything i should know before i purchase a particular alternator?

any brands? anything to look out for?

 

just called back pepboys its a bosch reman. alt. for 159.99 w/ a lifetime warranty.

does that sound okay?

 

As long as it uses the same pulley I don't see it being a problem. My friend was tearing up belts bad on his car and we later found out that he had some weird aftermarket alternator which had the wrong size pulley on it which in turn was chewing up the belts we put on it.

 

Check the battery at Sears. If the battery is good it is just dirty battery terminals. Clean them and it will be fine. An insulating film builds up after about a year if you don't clean your battery terminals each spring. I have seen this many times.