1987 Coupe (4 speed)

After failing state emissions, I narrowed the problem down to the cat and precats, which was entirely correct. I put the car in the shop and the following was done to it:

Full stock exhuast from manifolds back
w/ Precat delete

Rewireing of the brake lights so that 3rd brake lite didnt flash with turn signal.

Reverse light switch.

new plugs and wires.


A week before it went in, the distributor cap and rotor were replaced as well.





So I get it back today, everythings running GREAT. Brought it home and switched out the old thrashed sport seats with some new non sport seats.


I take it out this afternoon and the battery light is kinda flickering on and off once in a while., drive about 25 miles around town still running great. I noticed the gauge cluster started dimming (everything but the speedo) Also the turn signals would only blink every 8-9 seconds. The dim dash turned to black, and eventually the speedo went too. All the interior lights, radio, everything goes black a mile from my house.

The headlights were really dim as well. I take off from a stop sign and the car goes, and then just totally has no power and goes nowhere. I barely barely made it to my neighborhood where I had to be towed up the road because the car woudnt start. Once back at my house, the interior lights and dash cluster work fine, but still no start!


The battery in it is only a few months old...


Ever happen to anybody, any help or suggestioins are greatly appreciated.!

 

Sounds like you lost your alternator.

 

Happened to me once when I was riding with my dad. Exactly as you described.

 

Well not to complicate your life.. but I find that usually when something quirky happens it is the last thing I did to the car.. I would look under the seats and Make sure you didnt pinch the power wires for the power seats under some part of your new seats.. I guess it could be a coincidence or or whatever.. but.. I would check anyway..

 

Good recommendation.

 

Cranks normally but won't start?

Or won't crank?

If choice B, I support the charging system problem diagnosis.

 

http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Charging%20System.pdf

 

Charge your battery up with a battery charger. Engine running, the dash voltmeter should read 14.3 volts engine cold and this will drop to 13.3 volts engine hot. I would also remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and the battery terminals and replace the cables (neg last). A flashing battery light on the dash shows an alternator that has intermittent output and this indicates a dying alternator. I'd replace the alternator if you don't find bad battery cable connections.