Electrical Issue

[Passmossis]

I am having an electrical issue in my 1998 eclipse gsx. The problem I'm having is, it seems like something is draining my battery or my alternator is not charging the battery. I've had my battery tested, it checks out good. Give the battery a full charge (2a overnight), the car turns over (little sluggish) but starts. Can run the car for 3+ hours idle, no issue. Aftermarket sterio on/off, works fine. Cut the car off, go to turn it back on and it won't attempt to roll over.

Things I've done.
Checked battery for bad cell
Given battery a good trickle charge
Removed stereo cap/amps from electrical circuit

Kindof leaves me questioning the alternator. Everything electronic works fine when the car is running (except note, read below). I do hear the engine's idle pan up/down by turning on/off eletrical devises at idle; not by a lot but can be heard. Turning steering wheel/headlings/AC, ect. That's been normal since I've owned the car.

*Note, with my cap/amps turned off I noticed my stereo head unit would toggle on/off really quickly when I go from idle to 1st.

Reading through other posts of a similar but different nature, should I have my altinator checked? Or check the fuse for the altinator?


I appricate any help given.

Eric

 

[19Eclipse90]

Yes, check the alternator.

 

[crimsondragon]

When you turn it off and turn it on again, does it start up at all and then die or just won't crank?

 

[Passmossis]

Will not crank.

 

[19Eclipse90]

When you turn it off and turn it on again, does it start up at all and then die or just won't crank?

In my experiences, either can occur when the alternator is faulty.

Why don't you check the alternator to rule it out, then come back to us for help. It doesn't cost anything to do and if it's bad, your problem is near solved (it often takes the battery with it) and you didn't need to ask us anything - especially if you believe it is a suspect.
If it is good, okay - we can start somewhere else. Searching would lead you to a good link of a writeup explaining how to find electrical drains/shorts, etc. luv2rallye has posted it many times recently.

Edit: Here - Finding a short/partial short/battery drain

 

[bjbaxter]

I would definately have to agree with everyone else about the alternator. Most local parts shops will check the alternator for free. The only other thing i could think of if the alternator is good would be to start check for good spark throughout. I dont know why that would effect how your car is acting but its definately somewhere to start if the alternator is good. good luck man, keep us posted

 

[Passmossis]

Thanks for the help. I'll have the altinator checked out tomorrow and then go from there. Will keep you all posted.

 

[Passmossis]

Started checking for shorts in the electrical system. Found one via light test in the radio/lighting circuit. Will be T/s'ng that till problem found and resolved. Thanks for the link 19Eclipse90.

*update*
Removing the circuit breaker yields the result of a fully functioning alternator/battery. The car starts great, runs as it used to, and can be repeated as desired. Go figure, I broke my drivers side door handle off in the process (came off in my fingers, bah). Did a search on the forums and found the link here for changing out door handles, so will be good to go there. Now to find the short.

 

[Menacing talon]

Sweet,good luck with the fix man

 

[Passmossis]

Going through, I'm at a stump. With the lighting circuit, the overhead lights work (on the rear view mirror) and so does the trunk. But the glove box, and center console lights do not work. I've checked the bulbs, they check out fine.

I'm browsing through the center console looking for the culprit but have no luck so far. Any experience anything like this? I've checked the wires coming from the hood fuse box, they seem to be in good order.

 

[Passmossis]

I found the wire causing the issue, 12v battery line to the stereo head unit. Installed a new wire harness and problem seems to be solved!