Charles, I would guess that it is the Alternator!! The battery is used to start
the car and help power lights, if your car dies when the battery is disconnected
that means that it is running off the battery entirely. Check your wires and
make sure that you have a good connection. The alternator keeps power to the car
after the battery gets you going. If all else fails, go to your local discount
auto supply and they should be able to check out the alternator for you for
free. BE TIGHT, WE TIGHT, IT'S ALLRIGHT. Brad
Charles D. Sorkin wrote:
> Well, I started from the begining this morning, checking connections,
> replacing the rotor and cap on the distributor. When I tried starting
> again, I hooked up the jumper cables to a running car (I had already run the
> battery down trying to start yesterday), and the Midget started on the first
> turn of the key (!). I waited about 60 seconds or so, listening to the
> sound of the engine, and everything seemed fine. However, at the -precise-
> instant that I removed the jumper cable from the positive on the Midget
> battery, the car stalled out, and resisted all attempts to be restarted.
>
> Thus, my problem is in the battery, right? Before I go out and buy a new
> one, is there any other problem that could cause the car to die at the
> instant that the cable has been removed? Even though it has enough juice to
> turn the starter a little bit, and light the headlights, it has been
> difficult to hold a charge lately. I'd been eyeing the alternator.
>
> Regards,
>
> Charles
> '74 Midget
> '68 Sprite (has yet to fail to start for me)
> cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com
> Bloomfield, NJ
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