The radio on my car went out the way to work...then the car started puttering and died. I tried jumping the car, but it only turned for as long as the cables were attached. I tried cleaning the connections, but no luck again. Any ideas? I have a 1994 Subaru legacy wagon.
2006-08-22 04:46:41 · 13 answers · asked by Koobear 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
More info....i've never had a problem with the initial start up of the car. It turned over right away this morning. The didn't work on a second attempt, with much revving, but did on a third. After awhile, my hazard lights even stopped blinking until we started pushing the car (they were on for a good hour).
2006-08-22 05:03:23 · update #1
It could be both. My car died in December going down the highway. The lights started to dim and the car died. After I had it towed, I figured the alternator was the problem. However, it also caused the battery to die as well. So, I would have both checked.
2006-08-22 04:57:51 · answer #1 · answered by Biskit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the car won't even start then it is probably the battery. The alternator is not really used for the intial startup and it will keep the car running without the battery as long as the engine is idling fast enough. If you have jumper cables attached then have the other vehicle rev the engine to provide more juice across the cables. This should get the car started unless something else entirely is wrong.
2006-08-22 11:57:01 · answer #2 · answered by turtlekeys119 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ten to one, it's the alternator. Take out the battery, which will be easier to remove than the alternator and have it tested, if it comes back weak but good, ask them to charge it, go out to the parking lot and take out the alternator and replace it while they are charging the battery. If the battery comes back with a dead cell, which is possible based on it not taking a charge, buy a new battery.
Given the new details, it is the alternator, still have the battery tested first at AutoZone or Napa for free and if it is low (which I suspect it will be) have them charge it and buy a new alternator (very easy to install, I did it in a suit on the way to a job interview, of course that was a pick up truck with a little more room under the hood.)
2006-08-22 11:57:23 · answer #3 · answered by Johnny Burpo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably is the alternator, but don't rule out the battery. Take your vehicle to be tested (Kragen will do it for free- at least where I live). Or you can trickle charge the battery on a battery charger (If you or somebody you know has one)- If the problem goes away, it is the battery- If it discharges in a short amount of time, the alternator is at fault.
2006-08-22 12:36:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the alternator. Jump the car and disconnect the battery. If the engine continues to run it's the battery. Otherwise, it's the alternator.
2006-08-22 11:53:30 · answer #5 · answered by Stumpy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replace the altinator. the car can only run off battery life for a short time.
2006-08-22 18:05:24 · answer #6 · answered by rldbr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alternator or some other fault in the electrical system. When the car is running, the battery doesn't make any difference...
2006-08-22 11:55:33 · answer #7 · answered by virgilio costa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
better charge the battery .there should be a wrong connection. ther power for starting Your Engine might be from batteries & not with Alternator.
2006-08-22 12:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once owned a car that I had to jumpstart every time i wanted to go ANYWHERE!
That sounds like it's the alternator
2006-08-22 11:55:53 · answer #9 · answered by Yatez!! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the alternator to me. You should get it somewhere and have it tested
2006-08-22 11:54:01 · answer #10 · answered by Mickey S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋