1998 Eclipse wont start

[Thudpaw]

I have a bone stock 1998 Eclipse GSX and this morning it decided not to start. Yesterday afternoon it was a little slow to start at first, but figured that was just because I had not driven it in about a week. Now when I try to start it I get nothing at all, just very dim lights on the dashboard and it clicks once or twice. I tried starting it in every gear and nothing. I am not really a mechanic but I am assuming it is either a dead battery or my alternator is gone. What is a good starting point to diagnose my problems? Thanks for the help.

 

[Gamble97]

Sounds like a dead battery, get a charger or some jumper cables, or a new battery. Or take the battery out and have autozone test it for free.

 

[delta448]

Try jump starting, if it still clicks, pull out the starter and have it tested.

If it starts, but won't start the next time, use a DMM to check battery voltage drop when hitting the starter, below 6-8 volts on the battery and the battery is bad.

If the battery voltage is good while cranking, pull the alternator and have it tested.

 

[ist dwa]

Heat is worse than the cold for batteries, the hot summer time weather must be getting to it. Replace it.

 

[Thudpaw]

I jump started my car and it seemed to work fine. While the car was running we tried disconnecting the wires on the battery to try and diagnose if there is a problem with the alternator or whatever, but the battery had more than the red and black wires. I'm guessing that the other wires have to do with the security system and radio theft, because my problem now is when I let of the throttle and put the car into neutral the radio resets. Any idea what is causing this?

 

[Gamble97]

I jump started my car and it seemed to work fine. While the car was running we tried disconnecting the wires on the battery to try and diagnose if there is a problem with the alternator or whatever, but the battery had more than the red and black wires. I'm guessing that the other wires have to do with the security system and radio theft, because my problem now is when I let of the throttle and put the car into neutral the radio resets. Any idea what is causing this?

Sounds like there isn't enough current aka "juice" to keep things up and running. I would bring it to autozone and have the battery and alternator tested. If your battery is on it's way out and you keep driving it, the alternator will wear out. If the alternator is not putting out enough current you will run off the battery and when that drains you will be in the same boat.