1. Battery: The battery stores electrical energy and provides the initial power needed to start the car. When you turn the ignition key, the battery supplies electricity to the starter motor.
2. Starter Motor: The starter motor uses the electricity from the battery to crank the engine. This initiates the combustion process in the engine, causing it to start running.
3. Alternator: Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over the role of generating electricity. It converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy and supplies it to the car's electrical systems, including the battery.
4. Charging the Battery: As the alternator generates electricity, it also recharges the battery. This ensures that the battery has enough power to start the car the next time you need it.
Now, if the alternator is bad or not functioning properly, it may not be able to generate sufficient electricity to power the car's electrical systems, including the starter motor. As a result, the starter motor won't receive the necessary power to crank the engine, preventing the car from starting.
Therefore, a bad alternator can be the reason why your 1995 Eclipse won't start, even with a new battery. To confirm if the alternator is indeed the culprit, you can use a multimeter to check the voltage output of the alternator while the car is running. If the voltage reading is below specifications or not consistent, it's likely that the alternator is faulty and needs to be replaced.
