2006-09-26 01:15:55 · 17 answers · asked by Jennie♥ 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The alternator is brand new just replaced it over the summer. We used a battery charger and it wouldn't help start the car at all!!
2006-09-26 01:25:06 · update #1
We jumped it last night and drove it for a hour and it ran fine. Then the minute we got home and turned it off it wouldn't start back up. Thank you all so much!!
2006-09-26 01:32:43 · update #2
Thanks for the tips. I thought it might be the alternator too but i jumped it and got it running last night and unhooked the battery and it ran fine and didnt stall. also when it is running the lights and radio and everything works and my meter reads about 14 volts but the needle shakes and sometimes shoots to 0 and then right back to 14.
2006-09-26 01:49:24 · update #3
It is a bad battery. If the alternator were bad it wouldn't stay running as the coil wouldn't have enough power to keep firing. The battery is holding a very small "surface charge" when you jump start it. But not a deep enough charge to start on its own. If you look at the fluid levels (be careful it is full of acid!) you probably have some very dry cells and the battery is probably ruined so you need a new one.
2006-09-26 01:26:41 · answer #1 · answered by Drewpie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternator
2006-09-26 01:23:02 · answer #2 · answered by k8o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You battery needs to be checked. First and easiest is to check the connections for dirt and corrosion. If they are clean and tight, then chances are you need to replace the battery. Your local AutoZone can check the battery for free. If the battery has been drained and never properly recharged, then you may just need to put a good charge on it. Alternators do not charge a battery, they just replace the charge that is used during normal operation of the vehicle. Never disconnect the battery on a newer car while it is running. This causes back feed and could damage your computer. Also if your alternator was bad, the car would run until it used up all of the charge remaining in the battery then die right there, unless you are driving an older diesel which doesn't need an electrical spark to ignite the fuel
2006-09-26 01:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by ' 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how long you run the car after the jump. How old the battery is. If you run it longer than a few minutes then the Alternator is the next to look at but if you jump it and turn it off then it's dead then change the battery.
2006-09-26 01:28:56 · answer #4 · answered by Carol 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your alternator is working properly you start your car and take your battery out and the car will still be running. But you said that your car only stays running a few minutes and then shuts off. What is wrong is that the charge from the jump puts enough charge in your battery to let it stay running for a few minutes. As your battery runs low or out it will shut off. Your alternator is designed to charge your battery and keep your car running.
In short it would be wise for you to invest in a new alternator and battery.
2006-09-26 01:28:55 · answer #5 · answered by jen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be just the battery or it could be the alternator. If you have a battery charger try charging the battery and see if it will start on its own then. If not the battery is shot. Your local auto zone or other parts place can test the battery and alternator for you if you bring it to them.
2006-09-26 01:21:15 · answer #6 · answered by mudpuppy72 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Also check the cables from the battery - I am not sure how you are jumping the car but if you are connecting directly to the battery with both pos and neg then the cables are likely fine. If you have the neg on a metal body part it is possible that the ground cable is bad or connection is not making good contact.
2006-09-26 01:33:03 · answer #7 · answered by d b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it runs ok once started and you can put lights etc on
but will not restart once stopped
more likely battery not holding charge
if lights etc are dim or engine cuts out with lights/radio etc on
more likely alternator
as your altenator should have enough output to run all the electricals on the car and charge the battery
hope this helps
2006-09-26 01:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by jo s 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the alternator is not charging the battery. I'd get it checked at a garage.
2006-09-26 01:21:06 · answer #9 · answered by diggy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you mean by dead???
When it doesn't start, do the headlights and everything work?
If so, is there any clicking when you try to start it?
If there is, maybe your starter solenoid contacts are bad. It might work with a jump because you have two batteries connected, which would supply enough amperage to overcome the burn spots on the contacts.
2006-09-26 02:10:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋