big problems for the first time, help appreciated

[CamaroKing]

Kinda long, but please read.
A week ago my left turn signal stopped working, it would turn on but not blink, and the back wouldn't work at all, even as a brake light. That's the first strange thing. Then it started working again- no big deal. Then a week later it stopped working, now the check gauges light is on for no apparent reason. I check things over, basic stuff, all fluids. Things seem ok, just weird.
Today the check gauges light is on, as well as the ABS inop light, and the siganl doesnt work. As I'm driving the engine just isn't revving, rpms are dropping, so I pull into a lot. Now it wont start. Not the battery, maybe the starter, but I dont think so. It cranked, just wouldnt turn over. I wait some time and come back with friends. It starts this time. I drive back towards my dorm and it starts stalling, rpms dropping again, and I here some backfiring. Then all the gauge lights come on, even the ones that dont have anything to do with anything, some blink. I pull into another lot, and get a cop to write me a broken down vehicle permit, he was a cool one, fortunately, and helped me move the car in neutral to a space. Anyway, I'm thinking computer problems, maybe trouble with some sensors? Any similar situations? Help would be appreciated.

[hockeyman]

sounds like a bad alternater.

Next time your blinkers aren't working, you need-not check the fluids in the engine. Instead, check to see if a turn signal bulb is burnt out :D

-Marc

[Camaro_SLP]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by hockeyman:
sounds like a bad alternater.
<hr></blockquote>

I'm 99.9999% sure it is your alternator!

EXACT same symptoms happened to me.. - a few things..If you have a battery tester, test the battery when the car is not on..it should be in the 12's...Test it while you start the car, it should drop alittle..once the car is running, test it again, and it SHOULD be in the 14's. I just replaced the alternator and battery on my car, and it fixed everything.

When you brake, does your battery gauge drop down at all? That is another symptom.

[CamaroKing]

I already checked the bulbs, but thanks for asking, the fluids were just regular maintenace.
Here's the thing, the car won't start, either. I couldn't get it to start at all today. Would that still fit the alternator diagnosis?

[white96six]

I had a 94 beretta that did a simular thing. it turned out to be the alternator and some other electrical things like ground wires. another suggestion is that if you cant fix it yourself alot of colleges with a automotive program will fix the car really cheap. at my school we work for 15 an hour apposed to 80-90 an hour at a shop. good luck.

[mrbako]

GROUND!!!

make sure all grounds are secure

[98v6]

dude, i had the same EXACT thing happen a few months ago on my 98 firebird... ALTERNATOR! the reason it started after you waited awhile is because the battery can "surface charge" a small amount of energy, and the reason why it won't start now is because the amount of energy just isn't high enough to surface. another problem that i had was a leaking battery, on the + cable, this just caused me to lose voltage to things like the stereo... etc at first, but over a period of time it got worse and eventually both battery and cable had to be replaced... alternator's a snap to replace on my 3.8, cable was a bit harder but if you do both then you should be covered for quite a while.

[Dustin Freels]

ALTERNATOR!!! Thats it ...99%

[CamaroKing]

Yep, alternator. Got it taken care of. Thanks, guys.