When I'm driving at night with the lights on, why drive at night with them off, the heat on and the rear defroster going and I shift into neutral and start to come to a stop the car feels like it's going to die sometimes. The head and dash lights flicker, you can hear the heater kick back a little and the rpms drop to almost zero until I step on the clutch again. WTF!!!

 

recharge your battery and get your alternator checked out.

 

yeah thats exactly where i would check first battery & alternator... but do not over look the grounding system... check or grounds for corosion (green stuff) ... and if u want u could upgrade to a ground wire kit...
good luck
Erik

 

I've got a ground wire kit with the correct mounting points and a voltage stabilizer. Stupid question time...but the parts store can check the alternator can't they? I'll check for corrosion in the morning. Thanks!

 

well then okay do you install all of that yourself wires and regualtor? if so alway double check your work... and that wasn't a stupid question usually auto zone and advance auto have machines to chack alternators..... but i'll give u a heads up sometimes the people working there don't know what there doing and they will hook it up wrong there for showing u that u have a bad alt. but in reality its still good.... but if the price is right i would replace cause these cars aren't getting an newer.. and usually they came with a good warranty.... hope that helps u out
-Erik

 

Yeah, I installed the grounding kit and stabilizer myself to spec. I will double check them when I check for corrosion. Thanks for the heads up on the "parts gurus". The car is 13 years old and it could be time for a new alternator but I'm so close to a swap I can taste it.