I picked up a 98 lumina ltz a while back, i knew it had a slight oil leak from the rear valve cover... no big deal just keep an eye on the oil level.

Well since i've owned it i've noticed the lights flicker, are dim sometimes, and when you go to start it there is hesitation of a few seconds before it turns over. At times it will have trouble doing that but it starts.

Now I would initially think the starter is going bad or solenoid... but that doesn't explain the flickering lights. Cables are good on the battery.

Today it just died while i was driving and that would tell me a bad aletenator but the altenator is new! It took a jump start to get going again and it ran fine after that. So i'm not a mechanic but i'm not afraid to work on something (with Hayes or Chilton's help) i just don't have any idea what this could be.