Car problems please help!!!!?

Question

have a 2001 Chevy Cavalier 2.4L and it has 103,000kms on it, I have done reg. maintanence on it since I bought it 1 1/2 years ago and have not had to fix a thing. Anyways..my problem is that it won't start. I had to boost it this morning to get to work and its a 1/2hour drive(all electronics were off on the drive here). I got to work and tried to start it about 1 1/2 hours later and its dead again, apparently the batteries not holding a charge. My b/f looked at it quickly this morning and said it could be the alternator or the battery. My check engine light has been going on and off for the past few months(is this the reason why?).....anyone have any ideas on what it might be, and if so how much it might cost for the parts - my b/f is very mechanical and could fix/install the parts himself. I'm just asking because he did not have time to look at it this morning and I just would like to have some sort of answer so I'm not worring all day long....Thx in advance to all who answer!

Additional Details

1 hour ago
AS I said my check engine light has been going on then off and I don't have $100 to spend to be hooked up to a damn computer just to tell me why the sensor keeps going on then off. And no I have not been ignoring it.

41 minutes ago
I would also like to add that my alternator is making a high pitch squealing/squeaking noise and that I have a new stereo system hooked up to my battery for an amp & Subs but they are not hooked up.

4 minutes ago
I'm in Ontario, Canada

For everyone that keeps suggesting Auto Zone - I AM IN CANADA< WE DO NOT HAVE AUTO ZONES HERE

Just for the record "ne_plus_ultra_1" in case you can't read I DO NOT have sub and amp hooked up and they were gifts. And I also do not listen to rap music. I don't need to be critcized by you. I'm just looking for possible answers, hence why I posted this question in Yahoo ANSWERS. Thank you again for all the OTHER answers.

Answer 1

Here's what's going on. You alternator is dying a slow and painful death. While it's putting out enough to keep your car running, it's not putting out enough to charge up your battery also. The first clue is that your alternator is squealing, it's a sign of a bad bearing in the alternator. The second clue is that you had to get a jump. Chances are that since this has been going on fo a while it's also taken a toll on your battery, especially if your battery is more than 2 years old.
Replace your alternator and sepentine belt now. With your extra stereo equipment this would be a good time to see if there is a higher amp alternator availible. Also going into the colder months, now would be a good time to replace your battery if it's weak.

Answer 2

There are many possibilities so I will just list some. Alternator bad, Belt too loose, battery cables bad from electrolysis, Battery low on water, Battery not good, A broken or shorted wire, Voltage regulator bad and probably other potential problems. If the battery is over three years old then it probably is a good idea to get a new one. If there has been a seeking noise then it may be that the belt is much too loose and not turning the alternator at all. You say you have it serviced regularly but It appears you do not. The check engine flashing for months and you did nothing is a mistake. That is there for a reason. Take it to a good mechanic and have it serviced properly. The car is over five years old so it is time to change all the belts and water hoses. The timing belt as well. Remove all fluids and clean the systems and replace them with quality new fluids. Differential, transmission, brakes, radiator, engine oil and power steering fluid. This kind of maintenance is so often not done regularly and is the biggest reason for vehicles not lasting as long as they should. Take care of a good vehicle and it should go at least 300,000 miles 450,000 kilometers. Not cheap to do but sure a lot less than buying a new car.

Answer 3

Get it started again and get it to Auto Zone, they will check it for free. It is more than likely either the battery or the alternator. My bet is on the battery because with electronic ignition, if it was the alternator, once the battery died, so would the car. No juice to run on once the battery dies all the way. If it was the battery, once it was boosted, the alternator would be supplying the voltage to run the car while the battery was dormant. That could explain the noise in the alternator as it is working extra hard, trying to charge the battery and keep the car running.

Answer 4

I suggest you have your b/f remove the battery and take it to an auto parts store to have it checked. Regarding the sound that is being made, check the belt/belts attached to the engine to determine iof they are loose [pull on them with the engine off and when they are cool] and inspect the belts for cracks. The belts may need tightening to obtain the proper tention, or replaced is they are cracked and/or non flexible. Regarding the 'check engine' light, there are many factors which may couse this, and generally a machanic is necessary to turn it off. Pain in the *** and wallet, but I guess that's what the manufacture desired. Also, if you have a
battery charge guage on your dashboard, check it's reading when the vehicle is running. If it is the same as it's always been, problem is your battery. Good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 5

Go to an auto parts store and have them check the battery. Most will check it for free. My guess would be the battery as the car is 5 years old. The alternator *should* have a lot of life left.

Answer 6

The check engine light could be an emissions issue. As stupid as it sounds, many cars today are designed to have the check engine light come on if there is an emissions problem.

As far as the battery/alternator it does sound as if it's the battery. Jump the car, disconnect the battery. If it continues to run then your alternator is fine and the battery is bad. If it dies, the alternator is bad. Replace it first and then see if the battery charges up.

Answer 7

DON'T start it and disconnect the pos cable! (as another suggested). This will fry the computer on your Cavalier, as it will on any late-model car. It was an O.K. thing for the older, non-computerized cars, but is a NO-NO for new ones. (used to work at two auto parts stores). Have the alternator checked out at a local parts store, and you will definitely have to replace the battery, at the least, by your description of the problem.

Answer 8

A quick way to check if the car is running on the battery or the alternator is to start it, then disconnect the positive cable from the battery. IF it continues to run, the alternator is OK.

My guess since you drove it for about ½ hour is that The batter is bad

Answer 9

first don't disconnect the battery with the car running, if there is a noise from the alternator might be a problem with the alternator or the belt tenisioner. but more than likely it is the battery

Answer 10

Ah, I see, you have been paying attention to the MIL when it has come one. I stand corrected, you have indeed not been ignoring it. You have just failed to do anything about it.

True, you know much better than the mechanic who would hook your car up to his "damn computer" and probably charge about $100 for a correct and full diagnosis. You'd be much better off going to Autozone and have their parts guys hook up their scan tool for free and then guess at what might be the problem than to pay a mechanic for the use of his "damn computer" and his valuable expertise and time.

You are truly much better off spending your valuable $100 or $500 on a loud annoying stereo system so you can make friends with all your neighbors with your rap music than spending $100 to have your car operate properly.

At least you have an understanding employer who lets you surf the internet on your work time, even if you are in Ontario.