hey guys i got a problem with my 2002 impala with the 3.8. I went to pick up my bro and the car was running fine and i was sitting in a lot waiting for him with the radio on for about 5 mins and then when i tried starting the car it didnt work...instead the interior lights began to flicker and the needles in my gauges were twitching along with a clicking noise coming from the dash (this went on even with out the keys in the ingnition). None of the power features worked. When it starts it runs but i have notcied my gear indicator lights flickering and there is a small rattleing noise coming from my alternator area (dont know if thats normal). Some times when i try to start it it goes back to the twitching/flickering/clicking thing, which goes away when i go back to the battery and disconnect the + and reconnect and then it starts again.....what is causing this? the alternator, something else maybe? if its the alternator how do i adjust the idler/tensioner
i would appreciate any help you guys could give...thanks

 

When You disconnect the battery, You're allowing the Computer to RE-Boot. Probably the best place to start is to have the computer checked.

 

what about the slight rattling noise from the alternator area...is that normal? and i dont have the check engine light on....so i dont think i have any error codes but i could be wrong....and a quick question, could it be something like a voltage regulator (dont know if they are on new cars) causing the car to act that way....the clicking i mentioned before seems to come from the area around one of the fuse boxes that has some breakers in it......just trying to have a bunch of possibilites before i take it into the garage and have a mechanic charge me $100 an hour to figure it out...

and thanks for the idea of checking into my computer...will do....hopefully onstar can do that in their vehicle diagnostics

 

Sounds like your battery is dying. I've had that reaction to bad batteries in my Impala and my Malibu. That doesn't mean you're alternator is not a factor as well, but I would start with going to Checker or Auto Zone and asking them to check the battery.

 

i actually fixed the problem....it turns out the battery that was in there before AC DElco (oem?) was leaking out of the positive terminal and corroded parts of the terminal connector cable that i couldnt see were corrodid but once cleaned and gently tightened, it seems to run fine now....btw the battery was also replaced

thanks for your help tho guys