Electrical failure?

So I have to pick up my wires & plugs next weekend and see if that does anything for the horrible mis/backfiring. As soon as I even touch the gas the car dies.

Anyway, last night I started it for a few minutes and this time (battery just charged) after running for a few minutes my headlights started to dim, clock started blinking, and gauges dimmed. I don't think the battery is bad and the alternator is fairly new. Could this be a bigger problem related to the ECU or anything like that, perhaps causing the backfiring also? Of note, I took apart some hoses, the intake (filter looks good), and such the other night for the first time ever. Need to learn how to work on the car as no one else seems to know how.

So I have to pick up my wires & plugs next weekend and see if that does anything for the horrible mis/backfiring. As soon as I even touch the gas the car dies.

Anyway, last night I started it for a few minutes and this time (battery just charged) after running for a few minutes my headlights started to dim, clock started blinking, and gauges dimmed. I don't think the battery is bad and the alternator is fairly new. Could this be a bigger problem related to the ECU or anything like that, perhaps causing the backfiring also? Of note, I took apart some hoses, the intake (filter looks good), and such the other night for the first time ever. Need to learn how to work on the car as no one else seems to know how.


well, seeing as you have a 1st gen, do step #1 and make sure the capacitors in your ECU haven't leaked

I see capacitors for sale all the time on ebay for like $5. Should these do the trick?

first of all, check and see if that is the problem. Open up your ECU and look to see if it looks messy around the capacitors on the circuit board. No use buying capacitors unless that is indeed the problem. Electrical problems are sometimes tough to find.