That's what happened when I had to change the alternator the first time. It's not doing that now.

 

Kind of an off chance but check your vacuum lines.

My car wouldn't start once, I called AAA and he got it started by pushing it real hard and given it some throttle to start, Turns out it was because one of the vacuum lines poped off. After reconnecting it, this never happened again. I"m at 106K with a stock battery and alternator

 

the no start problem was he turned the key and it only clicked, that would have nothing to do with vacuum lines.

 

I wish I saw this sooner. It most likely is your ground wire going to the battery. I had this same exact issue. I ended up making a new one, but there might be enough wire left to cut the old terminal off and crimp a new one on. Or just use a wire brush to clean it up really well. Let us now what you find out!

If you do get it started, go ahead and carefully pull the negative terminal while the car is running. If the car continues to run, you dont have any charging issues

 

didn't he say when installing his uncle's battery, it started?

 

Hey again, sorry for the long post time. About the negative terminal, mine does look very unhealthy and changing it might be a solution. I can purchase a new one and install it and see what happens tomorrow.

I did make an attempt to reinstall my uncles battery to try and pull off the negative terminal and see if the alternator was still working, but I wasn't able to get it to start again.

Thanks again for all the help, I'm very grateful for your troubleshooting ideas. This is my first car and I've put in quite a bit of work to get it running like it should and I see a light to the end of this tunnel of obstacles. I love this car, and it's an awesome vehicle when it's working.

I'll keep you posted about whether or not changing the terminal worked. Thank you again.

 

It Starts! My car is running again! Before I went to get a new terminal, I went ahead a used sand paper try and clean up both terminals as best as I could and make them shine to get a better connection.

Under the positive terminal I found quite a bit of corrosion where the actual terminal met the bolt that leads to the starter and other parts of the car. I removed the nut and cleaned all those connections really well and hooked them back together. I don't know how I missed this before, but I believe that is what was keeping the car from starting. I should have done a more detailed check when I cleaned the terminals and post the first time, but I'm glad my problem is solved.

 

Glad I could help! I knew it had something to do with the terminals. Turns out you dont have to be a sarcastic mechanic to know a thing or two!

"I hate it when I'm right".

 

suppose you want a courtesy reach around and a pat on the back.

good boy you solved this mans complex problem!!!

 

..and I didnt have to be a dick doing it!