I drove to and from work on 9/20. I arrived home at 3 pm and around 6 pm I got into my car and it would not turn on. I ended up jumping the car successfully and I have automatic lights that came on. I fooled around with the radio and heater and the lights started to dim as I turned each on. I shut off the radio and heater and put the car into reverse. When I let off the breaks my entire car went dead. Is this a problem with the battery, alternator or maybe the circuits that charge the battery? If you have any ideas, please let me know.
2006-09-21 14:01:26 · 14 answers · asked by vthai61 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If the lights dim as you turned things like the radio and heater on, that's a powerful indication of a bad alternator. It may also be a bad battery but the alternator (or possibly the voltage regulator) sounds like it is not delivering power. The clues are that you could start the car when you jumped it, which means your starter is working fine but your battery has little power. This is probably because your alternator is dead and you were running the car off your battery on your drive home from work. The other clue is the dimming of the lights when you turn on accessories. Some accessories might do this but not the radio... unless you have a monster stereo.
Your starter is fine but I strongly suspect the alternator.
2006-09-21 14:14:14 · answer #1 · answered by pvreditor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know how old your vehicle is. But, 99% of the time, your description would lead to an alternator. Your alternator is supposed to maintain your battery so the car can run normally. When the alternator fails, the battery slowly runs down to the point where it can't even keep the car running. Using the radio or heat, headlights, etc. just makes this worse, and the battery drain faster. A jump start gives you false hope when the vehicle starts. So you head on your way, only to have that small charge from the jump start drain out, and your car stalls as the battery is once again dead. You will no doubt find that your alternator, or the belt that drives your alternator is bad. If you have a vehicle that uses one belt to do everything, you would have probably overheated and also lost power steering. Your problem is most likely the alternator.
2006-09-21 21:16:04 · answer #2 · answered by detecting_it 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once the vehicle is running, for all intents and purposes the battery if not in the circuit and the alternator keeps it running. If the battery is not charge, and things go dim as you turn things on, you need to replace the alternator. The battery might also be weak, but you definitely need an alternator. If you want to check, put a voltmeter on it when it's running, you should be above 13, almost 14 volts if it's working.
2006-09-21 21:20:41 · answer #3 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I would suspect that the batter is dead either from just being worn our or because the alternator isn't charging it when the engine is running. Keep in mind that the battery could be ok, the alternator ok and you just have VERY dirty and corroded battery cables where they attach to the battery.
IF you want to do the checking yourself, do this. Using a voltmeter, check the voltage in the battery. It will probably be very low....around 10 volts or so. Turn the lights on. The battery voltage will probably go down to 6 volts or so.
Next, start the engine by jumping the battery off and again check the battery voltage. If the battery voltage is now around 14 volts DC, you probably have a bad battery. If the voltage does NOT increase, suspect the alternator. Again....DON'T forget the dirty and corroded cables. Good luck. NOW, if you want, go to a good auto parts place and most will check your battery and charging free of charge. They like to sell batteries and alternators. :-) Pops
2006-09-21 21:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Pops 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like an alternator, but it could be a bad battery as well.
The fact that the lights dimmed shows that your car is not making enough voltage to run those accessories.
The battery is generally only used to start the car, then the alternator charges it again for the next start and powers the car as you go.
2006-09-21 21:06:13 · answer #5 · answered by xturboexpress 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You you get a jump on your car you need to let it sit running for a while and let the battery charge. If after you let the battery charge and the car still dies its probably your alternators.
2006-09-21 21:11:47 · answer #6 · answered by Rosey55 D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the alternator. And now your battery is dead from the bad alternator.
2006-09-21 21:26:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your on the right track. battery connections might have corrosion.could need the cables cleaned off-use coke soft drink it's or baking soda and vinegar they are quickest. Alternator would be second on my list.
To check alternator start car unhook either side of battery and if it stops running the alternator is the problem.
2006-09-21 21:16:06 · answer #8 · answered by sandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bad starter, give me a break! Don't answer a question if you don't know what you're talking about.
You need to replace the alternator and the voltage regulator. You may need to replace the battery as well, if you still have trouble after replacing the above.
2006-09-21 21:12:46 · answer #9 · answered by Speedy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I gather, not knowing the make, model or year, my best guess would be to check the charging system, alternator, fuses, battery, etc... Quick check: read voltage at the battery with the vehicle running. Should be about 13.6 volts DC to 14.6 vDC.
2006-09-21 21:08:24 · answer #10 · answered by lcplcadaver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋