Over the past few weeks I started to notice signs that something was wrong with the Mistress. Unfortunately, they were so subtle that I failed to act before the problem escalated to the car's failure to start.

Background...
The car had a new OEM Delphi 120amp alternator installed after the original one failed. (whining noise then dim lights and option failures... radio, instruments, etc.)

Recent signs...
After the alternator replacement, all was fine. Then after a few weeks, I noticed that every now and then the car would fail to start on the first try. Second try would start it fine. This did not occure with any regularity. Soon after, I began to notice the starter seemed to struggle to crank the engine.

Last night after picking up food for my late-working wife, I noticed the stereo was not sounding right. It seemed as though the amps were starved for amperes. They worked, but they did not sound warm like normal BOSE system. Thinking it was in my head, alergies or something, I went to my wife's office where we ate dinner... 15 or 20 minutes. The car showed no CEL or BATT charging system warnings although I noticed when I would make a turn it seemed as though my lights would dim in sequence with my turn signals. Not all the time mind you, but mostly while not throttling or under breaking.

Start failure...
After eating, I left to go home... I got in, no problem with the alarm. I turned the key, and it seemed sluggish as it cranked. To my surprise, it kept cranking. No spark, nothing. I tried again, and it turned over twice then it clicked and everything flickered. I tried again... CLICK-FLICKER CLICK, CLICK, CLIK-FLICKER....

Resolution...
I had my wife pull Lady Green, '99 Accord around for a boost. I drove home with no accessories on. Hoping it was a loose ground I checked it out... Nothing loose. So my bro at F/S tested it with a load appliance. It indicated Charging System, OK -- Replace Battery.

Well, $75 later, all is well.

Sorry for the long post... Just thought this was becoming a comon problem. DEAD BATTERY.

 

you name all of your cars then???

 

yes, the '85 Civic was "the Chase car." I used to chase storms in it.

The '91 Integra was "wet dream" I got the name from the first time I saw it... It was wet and the beeded water looked fucking hot... you know... like the perfect girl in a teenaged boy's dreams.

 

sounds like its time for an optima red top.

 

I bought the Durlast Gayla GOLD from Autozone... Works great.