Hi everyone! Am looking for some help. Own a 69 Chevelle that won't turn over at times and just clicks. Bought a new Optima battery and she started right up. Thought problem was solved until driving for a while and interior and headlights/taillights went very dim. Battery gauge showed all the way down to D.

Let her sit overnight, and turned on lights next day-bright as can be. Tried to start it up- clicking........

DO you guys recommend it's my alternator? Or do I have a more serious electrical problem than that?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! Tim

I would clean the battery cables and then go down to the starter and ck all connections for tightness (maybe even losen and retighten the starter nut). after you clean the battery connections I would remove the battery ground wire from the block or engine and clean the surfaces with sand paper or a little grinder before you crawl under the car and mess with the starter.

I believe your problem is just a bad connection and not the alt. A good battery would recharge by its self over night.

Do you have a volt meter that you could test to see what the output of the alt is? Also I would see if you have a draw in the system that is causing the battery to be discharged after sitting overnight. (i.e glovebox light)

I had this happen years ago and it turned out to be a battery cable laying on the frame rail, by the exhaust, and just rubbed through its insulation. Every once in a while it would ground and cause above probs. Try lookin for that. Also if you shut all off and dont have a clock. You can disconnect battery cable and attach a wire from the cable to a tail light bulb and another from bulb to battery pos terminal. If there is a draw the light will light up. Then you can pull fuses and stuff till light goes out.

Also check the wire FROM your alternator, about 3/16th under the little bootie, if that breaks, your car wont charge

I had this happen years ago and it turned out to be a battery cable laying on the frame rail, by the exhaust, and just rubbed through its insulation. Every once in a while it would ground and cause above probs. Try lookin for that. Also if you shut all off and dont have a clock. You can disconnect battery cable and attach a wire from the cable to a tail light bulb and another from bulb to battery pos terminal. If there is a draw the light will light up. Then you can pull fuses and stuff till light goes out.

Test light also works good.

Thanks guys! I'm gonna give it a try this weekend. I'll post what it turns out to be

Ended up checking the battery and alternaor with multimeter. Seems that it looks like the alternator. All wires look to be ok. I'm gonna buy a new alternator. Question is......will it hurt to buy 140 amp, or one with high output? I have many high performance parts, and have a stereo and amp installed. Thanks