Chevy Cavalier starting battery alternator problem??

Hi all. Thanks in advance for help.

I have a 96 Cavalier LS 110,000 miles and a while back I started having weird electrical clicks. After I would start the car, I would get this click from under the dash, but can be heard from the engine also, and my radio would turn off, lights dim, etc... but the car would run just fine after that. I'd also had intermittent problems with the horn clicking when pressed and the wipers not going back down all the way. Few weeks ago car stopped running while driving and I shook the negative battery connection. It started right back up just fine (this happened 2 times in last 3 weeks). Well today, everything same. Went to leave work and it would not start. I got a jump, but as soon as I put the car in drive, it died again. I got a new battery and the car got me home, but I think I've got a bigger problem, such as a relay draining my power perhaps, or a bad alternator. Any ideas if these are all related, how to check relays and anything else? Thanks!!

Justin
Orlando, Fl

If it cuts out under power, I would suspect a non-charging condition of some sort. I would first rule out that battery cable that you tweaked to get it running. It might be corroded where you can't see it.

You should take it to a Sears or other automotive shop to get a charging system check done. I doubt that you have a relay problem, just a basic connection or charging issue.

The acid test for a working charging system is to remove the negative battery terminal while the car is running, if it stalls, it is NOT charging. Normally I don't suggest this on computer equipped cars, but since yours has been doing it to itself, it should cause no harm.

Bob

Moved to Cavalier forum