Need help, car was acting weird today

[peter]

So today Im on my way up to my girlfriends house when my stereo keeps shutting off. I was really mad at this cause its happened before, but I just thought it was a problem with the stereo itself cause my friend has the same one and it does the same thing alot. It would shut off then turn itself back on. It did this several times, each time there was less time between then previously. Then it shut off and wouldnt turn back on. I tried hitting the power button and nothing. I thought that was weird, then I noticed the ABS light was on. Which really concerned me. Then I see my tach and speedometer jumping all around then go to 0. Then the ABS light went off and the tach and speedometer went back to normal. And this happened a couple times. I decided to pull over and shut the car off while I called someone. Then tried to start it back up but it was dead. It was trying to start but couldnt get there. I had a friend come and give me a jump. Once I got home i shut it off and was able to start it back up with no problems.
I know my battery was on its way out, but Im thinking the alternator must be bad too. But I still dont understand the ABS light and my gauges acting weird. Any thoughts?

[riceboyler]

First thing to check when it comes to electrical gremlins is your grounds. Check for corrosion at the battery terminals, and any other grounds you can see. You might want to take it to a local auto parts store and have them run an electrical system check (most do it for free) just to see if anything is up, but I'd put $20 on it that it's bad grounds.

[DarkPhoenix]

I had that happen to me in my 240. Turned out that it was the alternator and the battery.

[1996Battlewagon]

It's probably all of those things (Battery, Alt, and dirty connections). But start with the simpliest first: the leads to your battery terminals. Mine were absolutely shot, and that kind of "loose" connection will cause your gauges to bounce around, lights to come on and off and for your car to act like it's possessed. Clean them really, really well and you might want to just go ahead and replace them when you get a new battery.

[peter]

I have driven the car several times since this happened and have had no problems. But I have not been using the stereo, headlights (except when necessary), or the A/C (which really sucks in 100+ degree heat). So I think Ill start with the battery and cleaning all the connections and see what happens.

[ouch1011]

Most likely the alternator failing or a poor connection at the battery.

[98outbackpdx]

my car was doing that exact same thing. it turned out to be a bad 3 year old battery. had it replaced, after it stalled on me. no problems since.

[peter]

Drove it tonight with the stereo and headlights, no problems. I have a feeling its just a bad battery and everything going at once was more then it could handle combined with a probably shitty alternator. Ill replace the battery and hope all goes well

[wrx-auto-x]

your car's name isn't christine is it? :grin:

[peter]

Uh no. Why? Lol

[1996Battlewagon]

your car's name isn't christine is it? :grin:

:lol: :lol: That's awesome!!!

Google Plymouth Fury if you need to.

[peter]

your car's name isn't christine is it? :grin:

:lol: :lol: That's awesome!!!

Google Plymouth Fury if you need to.
Haha I get it now