Hey Guys/Gals
I went to use the search feature but it appears that it's been disabled.

So here's the scoop:
A couple days ago I noticed that my check oil, add coolant, check battery, and exhaust overheat lights all came on, but were very dim. When I step on the gas, the lights all turn off and stay off until I come to a stop. Also, when I use my wipers they seem to be stuck in slow motion (even the fast setting). Another detail I discovered is that my air pump pulley is "clicking". The circular plate on the front of the pulley is moving in and out every couple seconds. Everytime this happens, there's a slight slight slight drop in the RPM. Sometimes the RPMs drop to the point where the car almost stalls but rises back up to ~700 again.

This is what I've done so far:
I checked all fluid levels and they're at full.
I fully warmed up the car and drove it at high RPMs to try to clear the exhaust of deposits.
I checked the MAP sensor and the hose is in place. Took a quick look over all the other hoses and nothing looks out of place.
The battery should be in good shape cuz I just bought it this summer.
I'm pretty sure I most likely have a coolant leak cuz I smell coolant everytime I start the car up.

That's about all I can think of right now. Anyone have any idea of what's going on? My car should be in storage right now but because I'm having minor problems with my beater car I'm stuck driving the FD for the next little while. I'm just hoping to figure out what the problem(s) is so I can work on it throughout the winter. Thanks in advance!


Jason

 

Test your alternator.

 

He's completely right. Either the belt broke or it isn't working.

Jeff

 

I agree, same symptoms for me ... everything except the wipers. I never tried them.

If you need a source for an alternator, have a look at
this thread.

 

Its the alt.

 

I'll chime in too, it's your alternator. Same thing happened to me.

 

Thanks for all the replies! I'll get it checked out immediately. Anything else you guys suggest I should check/do when I replace the alternator? Replace all the belts...etc?? Thanks again!


Jason

 

Don't over tighten the alt belt ... you'll ruin the water pump bearing ... I basically tighten mine as much as I can pull using my hand. There is of course a proper way to do this ... a belt tensioner … someone might want to correct me on the name. I've had trouble locating one, however.