Total blackout

[BubbaDuke]

Tonight when I went to start my 69 charger my battery was dead. Had a friend jump start me and I was on my way.  About 100 yards away I noticed my dash lights started to fade.  Then a mile or so down the road my radio went dead., then after that my dash lights slowly faded black and my head lights started to fade then go black. At about this time my car started to back fire and studier a lot to the point I thought it was going to die.  I started to think if I just killed my lights (which were dead already)  then i can save some battery power.  When I did so the car started to run like always and I hauled ass home.  Could this just be a really bad battery or a total electrical problem (please not that again).  Any ideas would help.  Thanks...

[Fred]

Buy a new battery and your good to go. 

[1BAD68]

Do a simple alternator test too

[BubbaDuke]

Thanks for the replys. Ill get a new battery.  I hope that is what it is.

[Plumcrazy]

Thanks for the replys. Ill get a new battery.  I hope that is what it is.

Why not charge and test the battery before you condemn it?

[Cooter]

Better check that old ass, BS, Chrysler alternator/regulator set up if factory mechanical.(Black box usually found on the firewall)...

And this would be another reason why I run the GM 1 wire alternator.

[BubbaDuke]

I will test the alternator and battery before replacing,but why would the car run like crap if the light switch is on and run good with it off. Im a novice still  at this sort of stuff so its probably a dumb question

[Plumcrazy]

I will test the alternator and battery before replacing,but why would the car run like crap if the light switch is on and run good with it off. Im a novice still  at this sort of stuff so its probably a dumb question

Simple, low voltage. I would say you have a charging system issue.
The car was running off of what little power remained in the battery.  Turning the lights on dropped the voltage below the point that the ignition system could provide enough spark to run the engine properly.

[BubbaDuke]

Thanks for the answer plum crazy

[Paul G]

I will test the alternator and battery before replacing,but why would the car run like crap if the light switch is on and run good with it off. Im a novice still  at this sort of stuff so its probably a dumb question

Simple, low voltage. I would say you have a charging system issue.
The car was running off of what little power remained in the battery.  Turning the lights on dropped the voltage below the point that the ignition system could provide enough spark to run the engine properly.

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