I had just washed my '70 Dart and I was going to start it up, but when I turned the key there was a rapid clicking noise and the oil light flickered. Could someone help diagnose my car? Thanks.

Dead battery. What did you leave on while you washed the car?

No, I didn't, I probably should have also stated that the Alt. gauge is almost in the middle. Though, it probably is the battery, I'm still learning.

Okay, if you didn't leave anything on then there is either a short somewhere draining the battery or more likely your alternator or voltage regulator has died.

O.k. Thanks for the quick responses, I'll have to look into those causes, could they be tested with a voltage tester/multimeter by any chance?

Don't condemn the battery just yet. It could very easily be fine. The symptom you describe can also be caused by dirty (corroded) battery terminal/cable connections, corrosion within the cable, or broken strands within the cable. And, this could be in the positive and/or the negative cable(s)! Sometimes the corrosion at the clamps can be invisible until they're removed.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Unfortunately, I post here not with a solution, but with a related question; What causes excessive battery terminal corrosion and how can I solve the problem?

Thanks,

Nat

_________________
1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

Batteries emit hydrogen and acidic vapours. The terminals and cable clamps are made out of lead. Eventually, the hydrogen and acidic vapours corrode the lead. If they're not corroded so badly that once the corrosion is cleaned away (with a battery terminal cleaner brush made for the purpose) the clamps would no longer securely grip the terminals, then prevention involves installing a pair of acid-neutralising washers on the terminals applying grease of some kind (chassis grease, vaseline, Ox-Gard) to the terminals before installing the cleaned clamps, then either smearing more grease overtop of the clamps, or spraying some special plastic spray meant for the purpose on them. Sometimes the corrosion attacks the nut and bolt that hold the cable clamp to the terminal--replacement nuts and bolts are available to solve this.

Be advised that those "fix it" clamps that have a steel strap held to the top of the lead clamp with two bolts, and the strap holds the stripped end of the cable to the clamp, are meant as emergency, temporary items only. They corrode in a big hurry.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Definately dont use those pieces of junk. Check your terminals, loosen em, clean as best you can and put them back on. and tighten. Check it after that...could be something simple like that. If not make sure they arent loose at the starter either. You can take the battery to a local parts place and they can charge it, and test it for you if need be...

If it isnt the connections and turns up being a dead battery...you have some more trouble shooting to do, no worries. The charging system isn't tooooo confusing. we're here to help out if thats the case, i went through it not long ago with my car..

_________________
Daily Driver 72 'Cuda
74 Duster /6
http:www.goodysgotacuda.com