when i turn the key the engine hesitates and tries to start but then suddenly dies. i try again but same thing happens. the starter is new. so its either the battery or alternator...but i dont know how to check the alternator.

the lights started diming and the gauges all stopped working when i was driving.

$55 wal-mart brand battery solved the problem for now.


Modified by bow tie at 5:19 PM 11/29/2006

 

take it to autozone or some car place theey'll check the alt for free

 

could be chassis grounds. could be a relay packing it in slowly. you mean you turn the key to start the car , and with ket cranked all the way , nothing happens for a couple seconds , and than all the sudden the car will start turning over? with key held the whole time? definitely not an alternator dude. check your starter wires , power and signal as well.

 

bump

 

sounds like a alternator and also check the plugs to your alternator to make sure nothing is d/c