Hi Guys,

I just drove my 1996 EI KH Verada (I think I got the model right) for the first time after buying it a few days ago and it's having issues.

It's been to the mechanic, had the block cleaned, new coolant, new oil, new brake fliud, new everything fluid pretty much.

The problem is, as I was driving it, it started idling funny, and at about the same time, the speedometer and tacho stopped working entirely, they just sat at 0 no matter how much I planted my foot.

Now it refuses to start, it wont even push start, or whine and refuse to start, there's nothing, just a little 2 second noise then it stops no matter if i keep pushing the key to start or not.

I got my dad to give me a jump start and it started fine, but the in dash clock faded out like as if the battery was dead, the battery light came on and stayed on until it faded as well, and then the car started idling really funny, and spluttering.

It's also spluttering even when I rev it up, I thought it might of been some kind of leak or wiring issue... but there's no leaks, i checked the battery connection, and it's fine.

Could anyone tell me what to look for or replace to get my new (used) baby working again?

Cheers

Oh I should note, it also feels like it's going to stall when I put my foot flat on the accelerator, the car jumps and it doesnt accelerate much, I can only lightly put my foot on the accelerator, anything over 40 or 50ks (thank god I could get home) and it feels like it's gonna stall.

Double check battery connections preferably by removing, cleaning and refitting. If the battery is old then it will not hold a charge and the car will not run unless the voltage is correct and your problem certainly sounds electrical to me. Check the cable(s) at the rear of the alternator - make sure they are firm and tight. When the mechanic cleaned the engine he may have allowed water to enter some of the electricals like distributer cap/plug leads/relays/connections so you will need to check all these as well. Good Luck.

The batteries only 12 months old, I called my mechanic and he said that it could very well be the alternator, so instead of spending $400 right now, i'll go out and do as you said and check the cables and relays and all that jazz later today when it's cooler outside as I need to get underneath the car.

The thing is, it the speedo stopped working as did the taco when I was travelling down a hill and when I went up hill, I put my foot down and it started working again, then it stopped as I was goin down hill towards home... and now this is occuring... I have no idea whats causing it, it's rediculous that a car can be running fine one minute and just "stop" the next and not work at all.

I would say Alt is the issue, once started, unless the battery is completely dead, the alt should have enough to run the car, the fact that the car starts when jumped means that hte car is fine, put in a new battery, do a voltage check at idle under load and make sure you alt is charging, the alt light is usually a dead giveaway as is an oil light

Did you say you tried to push start an automatic? You mentioned the mechanic cleaned the block. Make sure there is no water where there shouldn't be as well. But like Mal said, chances are the Alt or the regulator part is dying/dead.

Well by push start... ok my dad said I worded that wrong, what we did was, take the park break off, and roll it forward and back a bit, we thought maybe the starter motor was out of place, and occasionally it slips back into place if you do that.

Turned out it WAS the alternator, so thanks everyone for their input and umm... yeah my babies all fixed at a cost of $460 (yeesh) and it's humming like a bee!

Thanks SO MUCH everyone!