Help me! my car won't start

[chris89]

I have a brand new alternator and a good fully charged battery and when i go to start the click it clicks once and everything turns off, i mean all the lights. Everything seems Dead... if i pull the negative off the battery and put it back on then i have full power again, but again when i try to start it does the same thing.... HELP HELP HELP!

 

[cuel]

Clean and tighten the battery cables

 

[chris89]

I did and now the car starts but my battery, Rear tail light out, and Brake light are on... and the car runs for 30seconds and shuts off by itself... Could a ground cable not grounded cause this?

 

[kabanimk3supra]

did you change the alternator yourself?

 

[chris89]

yes.

 

[kabanimk3supra]

did you double check your wiring?

 

[chris89]

what do you mean? what wiring should i check?

 

[cuel]

Everything you touched. Check every connection, and every nut and bolt. Make sure everything is tight, and that the belt is tensioned correctly. check the alt. fuse/fusible link as well.

 

[chris89]

yeah, i checked all my connections and they are good.

 

[chris89]

why does my battery light come on while i'm driving?

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

why does my battery light come on while i'm driving?

Problem with the charging system.

 

[chris89]

Ok, got an update. So i figured out that jumping it will get the car started but right when you unhook the jumper cables the car dies. O'reilly said it's the alternator, So tomorrow that's what i'm gonna do.

 

[kabanimk3supra]

oreilly's alternator = suck

 

[p5150]

battery light will come on when the voltage gets too low.

Yes, a bad ground could cause this. Ensure that the batt neg cable is properly grounded to both the chassis and the block and that it is in good condition. Look for corrosion in the cable near the post by trying to bend the cable. If it is brittle it should be changed.

Also ensure that the alternator has good metal/metal contact to the block via the brackets and such. A thick coat of paint can mess with the grounding of your alternator.

Also check the plug that goes into the back of the alternator. See if the wires are still in it and in good condition

 

[chris89]

i know of a ground that's just hanging from right by the transmission, Could that cause it?

 

[p5150]

no - Im talking about the battery ground cable.

 

[cuel]

Hook it up anyway. ALL grounds are important. It goes from the trans. mount to one of the cross member to frame bolts.

 

[2543arvin]

Had the same problem here, those warning lights came on and I replaced the alternator but it still didnt help.....you need to replace you alternator wires. They could be burned out of just really old. I replaced mine and now it charges and starts with out problems.

 

[chris89]

Here's an update on the problem...

I have a video coming as well...

 

[p5150]

That main battery ground cable should be bolted to the block not the intake manifold.