Young Angus

I suspect this is due to low volts from the battery, but am not sure if i need a new one or not.

Just this morning the radio wouldnt turn on, then i noticed as i drove and got the revs up while moving the radio would come back on, but when i stopped and the revs dropped it just turned off. So to confirm it was the revs of the engine that were making it do this i put it in park and let it idle and then revved it a bit...sure enough, the radio was off on the idle and only when i revved it up a bit did the radio turn on, and as soon as i took my foot off the gas and let it idle the radio turned off again.

Also at the same time the lights were dimming a bit when the radio was off.

So do i need a new battery, or is it something with the timing/tuning...because the distributor was loose and i still havent reset it properly so its hunting like a bitch, but the radio thing only started happening this morning.

One other thing, every time i start it cold it takes a while for it to kick over...could this be killing the battery which in turn is getting weaker and causing the radio thing?

Thanks everyone

streaksinthesk

grab a multimeter and put it on your battery when the car is at revving at idle, if its not putting out over 13.8 volts, its your alternator of an alternator wire. if it is puttign out over 13.8 volts you battery is buggered or you have an eath leak somewhere.

Young Angus

Oops i forgot to mention something which is probably an important factor...the radio also doesn't turn on at all in accessories mode when the engine is off.

Disturbed_Dave

will be either your battery or your alternator... as mentioned, get readings from the battery... this will be a sure indication