The car will only start for a jump, it will run fine and register a battery charge, but no mater how long it runs after I turn it off the batery dies. It's a new battery. My guess is the alternator, but are there other possibilities, or what?
Thank you for your time! :)
2006-09-18 06:34:57 · 19 answers · asked by Luxifer 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's not the alternator. If it was then as soon as your battery was too low to run the ignition, etc the engine would quit. This sounds like the classic case of a new, dud battery. Happens now and then. Most likely a dead cell, so no amount of charge will help.
Easy way to check: Get a friend/neighbour and borrow their battery. Just take yours out and hook theirs up. Don't use jumper cables as that won't prove a thing. Your battery has to be out of the circuit completely. If their battery starts your car okay then you know which way to go.
Get your battery checked with a battery hydrometer. Takes only a minute or so and picks up any dead cells. If the battery is bad it's a 'claim', meaning they pull it out and give you a new one -- and they'd better not argue about it, either. But if the battery's good the next likely thing is bad contacts to the battery terminals, but as you've just fitted a new battery that's not likely which is why I didn't mention it first.
I'd bet it's a dud battery!
Lenky
2006-09-18 06:50:14 · answer #1 · answered by Lenky 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First check the alternator this is easy start the engine and with it running carefully take a long screwdriver and touch it ti the middle circle on the back of the alternator if the alternator is working you screwdriver will stick magnetically to thae alternator.
Next pick a point to start either the battery or the ignition/coil get a volt ohm meter and check for resistance with the motor off working your way through the system. Next start the engine and do the same checking voltage.You will find a spot in the system with a an abnormal voltage or no resistance there is your problem.
2006-09-18 13:51:13 · answer #2 · answered by utg_45 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its....the battery (or maybe the regulator)! If it was the alternator, heres what would happen: You'd put the jumpers on and start the car, then, soon after your jumped car was running without the jumpers, the battery power would be draining and the car would shut down. Take your battery back to where you bought it and have them check it out, you should get a free one if it is bad.
2006-09-18 14:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First and most important If you car needs to be started by giving it a jump that means that your battery doe not have enough juice to start it up. Second if your car runs after you jump it that means that your alternator is working. The easiest way for checking an alternator is by taking one of the terminals off the battery, if your car dies that means that your alternator is not working. check the battery terminals if your car is still running after you take the terminal that should take care of the problem Good Luck!
2006-09-18 13:42:11 · answer #4 · answered by josebikerider 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you turn the car on and remove the negative connection to the battery and the car stops running it is the alternator.
Even new batteries can have bad cells.
Places like Checker or Auto Zone will test the battery and alternator for free.
2006-09-18 13:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by jmlmmlmll 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One thing to try is while the car is running take the positive terminal of the battery (don't touch it to the car or anything), if the car stalls its a good sign it may be the alternator. Its also important to make sure the terminals are clean, if you had the battery installed by the shop it shouldn't be a problem.
2006-09-18 13:43:45 · answer #6 · answered by smoothie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the alternator was bad, the car would only run as long as the battery held a charge and then it would die. You may have a bad battery. Take it back to wherever you bought it.
2006-09-18 13:39:59 · answer #7 · answered by Mike Hunt 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if you have them in your area, but advanced auto parts or auto zone both offer free diagnostic checks. They will check your charging system and let you know what the problem is. It is also possible to get a bad battery. If the gauge shows that the battery is charging than you may have gotten a bad battery.
2006-09-18 13:47:07 · answer #8 · answered by maverickmagi 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take the battery out and take it to your local car parts store and have them run a check on it. You don't want to start with guess work that gets very expensive. So rule out the battery first. Good Luck!
2006-09-18 13:37:50 · answer #9 · answered by Backwoods Barbie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes even though its new check the battery. If its good the wire that connects to your alt. might be loose. It will give off power but not enough to charge the battery fully. Another thing it could be is a short somewhere. while the car is off your battery could be draining.
2006-09-18 13:40:50 · answer #10 · answered by dicanus1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋