Rep Power: 308

Hey Guys,

I inherited my Bro's 95 GST Eclipse, I wanna get it running and sell it for em. But I can't get the thing to start up. I can jump start it every time, but as soon as I turn it off or stall out, I need to jump it again. Even if I let it idle in the drive way for a long time, the second it's off, you need to Jump it.

It sounds like the Alternator to me, but Electrical stuff is not my forte (sp?)

So I wanted to get some more opinions before I spent $240 on a new one.

I tried an Eclipse forum, but the whole 2 on there all they could say is get a Chilton's.

So questions are:
Is there a test to see if the problem is the Alt?
Any help/comments on changing the Alt?
Any suggestions on something other than the Alt?


Thanks

 
Rep Power: 786

to test the alt, start the car and disconnect the battery, if the engine dies, the alt is bad.

battery is probably dead and the alternator is not charging it. battery could be bad becuase if the alt was, the car would probably not run at all becuase ther would be no electricity available

 
Rep Power: 308

Thanks' I'ma try that this week end, but This has been a re-occuring (well, never ending problem) for a while and my Dad has put several new batteries in the car. So while the batteries seem to be going bad quickly, cuase the car never seems to start with out a jump start.

To perform your test, what is the Safest Method.
I was thinking.
loosen the Positive Terminal so it barely on.
Hook up the Jump Start Wires
Start the car (Jump Start)
Take the Jump start wires off.
Take off the Positive Wire.

Does that sound Ok, or will I blow my self up?!? Maybe I can convince my wife to hold the wires

 
Rep Power: 786

thats fine