The lever-ring along the gear shifter, which is moved upward so to go into reverse, seems broken. It is loose and no longer has any resistance. The past few years I've been (over-)using the lever-ring to get into first, when that posed as a problem, now I can't get into reverse.

All this occurred as I'm having problems with my battery (and/or alternator). Last month the car wouldn't start after, toward the end of one day, stopping for about an hour. And it died out after two successive jumps, dying out after a few feet(and less). I changed the battery, rightly or not. After a four days of commuter driving it died at a stop light. I was able to restart it the following day, but that was it. Did start again a few days later, before dying on the driveway. Two weeks later I brought the battery back to Kragen's and they said it was overcharged (1000, norm 675). A few hours later they said it was now 200, and a bit later it gave a reading as bad. New battery started the car (twice), but I haven't tried to drive it since, which was last week.

The alternator (and/or it's components) have been changed twice since I got the car 9 years ago, last time about five years ago.

Temoc
Thanks

Alternator. Got a voltmeter? Do this test:

Check voltage across the gattery terminals. Engine runing look for 14 volts. At least 13 to 13.7.

Engine stopped, get 12 minimum, better if 12.5.

If the voltage with the engine stopped stays about the same with the engine running, get a new set of brushes/voltage regulator, assuming that your system has internal regulator. Brushes below 3mm must be replaced.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Yeah, a voltmeter. Thanks for the specifics on the readings. I do recall replacing the 'brushes' (two prongs) which are in the alternator as I recall (and a bit difficult to get to, maybe). That is, I have an external regulator, which is placed up against the inside of the body of the car, no? Is there a way of determing if its one or the other, or do both need to be changed? I do remember changing the regulator once.

thanks Bob