i need help

[exploder1221]

okay so the other day i was driving and my battery voltage guage was jumping a little then at the next stop the engine died. i now have to drive with 2 feet (one on the break and the other a little on the gas so it wont die) and when i accelerate the rpm's jump around, and so does the engine but it doesnt exactly do what the rpm guage says. just the other day i was having connection problems and couldnt start my car, i fixed that and now this happened...my shop teacher said it was a coincidence so im just making sure....any suggestions?

 

[Tbars4]

...What kind of connection problems were you having???..You may have shorted out your voltage regulator or something else with that problem...:scratch:

 

[exploder1221]

a cable-to battery connection. i grinded down the terminals and sprayed up some wd-40 and it started just fine. im still not sure its an electrical thing

 

[Tbars4]

...Then in fact, you did have a short that you temporarily fixed...A minor short like that can take out another electrical component that is weak, real quick..My first suggestion would be to replace that cable as it may also be corroded inside the sheathing...

 

[exploder1221]

if that was the case would it mess with the rpms and guages..and kill the car?

 

[Tbars4]

...Yes, since your vehicle is run by electronics..If your voltage regulator or alternator took the hit, you would be getting some charging but not enough to run your engines electronics properly...You can test that by checking your battery voltage while the engine is running...

...It could have even shorted the brain(computer), but I don't think thats the case...Electrical shorts can cause many weak items to fail before their time...The most important item to make sure is good is the negative cable...
...You may also pull, and have your alternator tested ...

 

[exploder1221]

the alternator is fine i pulled the neg wire when it was running, but ya what do you suggest i do?