Compilation of problems

[Shmikey]

I did some searching around and now Im even more lost than before, as it seems that every diagnoses seems to fit my car in different ways...

First off I live in florida so it gets real hot here (which might explain some problems).

I have already gone through 2 batteries and going into my 3rd (past 2 yrs), ppl at the stealership say its dead cells due to dsm's running hot under the hood, which living in florida I guess I could understand... but damn. When I shift into neutral lights will dim, my radio will sputter (turn on off) and problem wont go away until I get into gear/give it some gas.

I read it could be an alternator problem but then if so my batteries would die all the time right? (wouldnt charge it) and in my case they die after 7 or so months.

also I thought this might be interlinked but when my car experiences these "electrical sputters" it idles really rough, but that leads me to believe it could be the coil pack.

when I start the car (cold or warm) some times there is almost no cranking and the car just starts up almost imediatly (which is kindda wierd to me cause i always thought cars had to turn over to start) as if it is turning on way too fast. so i turn the car off and let it sit for a min and restart it, which usually gives that "normal" car start time/sound.

now I am almost positive I have narrowed it down to some sort of electrical problem (battery/alt/starter/coils/all of them at once). im fairly new to dsm's so pin pointing the problem is rough to say the least for me >.<

any and all help will be very appreciated

 

[ndsti]

Have you gotten anyone to check your alternator? They normally show signs of going and then just go. Take a DMM (Digital MultiMeter) and check your battery voltage with the car not started and then started at idle, turn off all accessoies (radio, heater, etc.) You should have around 12V not started and 13-14V Started. Now test the battery with the car running and all accessories on you should still be getting a reading of about 12.5-13.5V and if it starts out low it should start to gradually start getting higher. Doing this will confirm if your alternator is going, if your not getting these readings then you have failing alternator. Hope this helps.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

Also, try to check the radings at different points and visually inspect your major power wires. Sometimes corosion or nasty metal will effect the electrical system badly.

 

[Defiant]

Yeah, clean the daylights out of all your grounding cables and their mounting points.