Ok, so I replaced my oil pan (which was a b*tch!), and I changed the spark plugs, got a new battery, 180 degree thermostat, and changed the selanoid on the starter. So I take it out for a spin with one of my buddies, and she runs like a dream. Later that night, at about 11:30, she stalls and everything shuts off. I try to start it up, but all it does is make a *click* noise. I turn on the hazards and call my old man (who by the way wasn't too happy). We jump start it, and I take it back home, but while making a turn, i can hear the turn signal slowly die down, and it shuts off again, 300 YARDS FROM MY HOUSE!. We jump it again, and haul *** home. It stalls again in the driveway, so I took the key out and shut it down for the night. The next morning I turned the key, and she started up again! WTF is goin on?

 

Charge the batt, run it, and put some lights on. If the lights dim and the car dies, it's probably the alternator or the battery.
You could have got a defective battery. Make sure the batt is full of water and all the connections are clean. I've never replaced my battery, but some of them might not come filled with water. If it's the alternator, buy a new one, not remanufactured.

 

what he said.

 

I agree with those guys check your battery and alternator, also check and make sure your ground wire on your selinoid(sp) is tight.

One way I check to see if my alternator is still charging is with the car running take a standard screwdriver hold it kind of loose in front of the pulley if it is charging it will pull the screwdriver into the pulley b/c after all an alternator is basically a magnet. The faster it pulls it towards it the stronger the charge, but it still doesn't hurt to take it somplace and get it tested I beleive most auto parts do it for free now while it is still on the car.

 

the oil pan is not that bad, don't even have to pull the engine. It just took me forever to get the right one from a junk yard sent to me...

 

I had to lift the engine up to clear the crossmember. Anyways, when my car idles, the battery gauge goes down and the engine quits. I was in the middle of the road when this happened, and it will only start up when it is properly jumpstarted. thank *** my friend was there to give me a hand. I'm gettin the Alternator replaced, and I am gonna see if that is the source of my grief.

 

Most auto parts places have a machine that will check the charge rate of the alternator when you bring it to them. Could have a blown diode or something else malfunctioning in the alternator.

-Dan

 

Yup, the alternator is replaced, and I'm going to go pick it up today at 3, thanks a lot guys!