I got an 89 with a zc swap and some minor upgrades (full exhaust, short ram etc) and when I go turn the ignition the car won't start. A few days ago I went to start it and it didn't start I heard a clicking and the gauges and lights all dimmed and went weird, so I left it for a few hours and came back and then tried again and it started. Then the next day I tried starting and no start, waited a bit and came back and it still didn't start. I checked the spark plugs and wires and everything seemed good. When you turn the key to turn on lights all the lights turn on, gauges, beams, clock etc. I thought maybe it was battery problem so i disconected it and cleaned up the connections. So I tried again and no luck. Then I push-started and it worked! But once the car warmed up it started idling weird, it sounded like it was chocking/stalling/farting on and off. Also when you press the brake, one brake lights up and the other doesn't and the clock dims. The battery light is on, but when I revved it, it sounded fine and the battery light goes away but only if I rev past 2500 rpm. When I left go the battery light came on again. I'm thinking maybe it's my alternator, but I'm not sure. Then I shut off car and tried starting it normally and it didn't start so I have just left it since. Can anyone please help me.

 

You probably have a bad (terrible from the looks of it) ground connection on the engine. Check: battery to chassis, transmission, thermostat housing and valve cover.

 

update: now the car won't even push start! Is there neother possiblities other than teh grounding problem?

 

With all the lights dimming and things, it's probably power backfeeding through because it isn't grounded. The alternator can't charge right, and all kinds of wierd **** happens.