We just got back from a long trip (7 hours) and had no problems at all the whole time. A few minutes after turning the car off, I went to start it again and nothing happened. It wouldn't turn over and lights/radio weren't working. Turning the key produced faint flickering of the lights for a split second but that was it. We got a jump and it started up fine. It seemed to have no problems driving, except when I hit the break all lights and the headlights dimmed for a brief moment. They would then go back to normal, even if the break was still applied. We stopped at a few stoplights and there were no issues with keeping the car going, but once we stopped for good and turned it off, it wouldn't turn over/start again. Is this an alternator issue or something simpler like a lose connection/wire somewhere?
2006-10-09 15:22:14 · 8 answers · asked by Matt C 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Check the Connections on the Battery, see if they loose or Corroded. The Battery may be Dead. May need to put on a charger, but, first clean off the top and open and check water level. Fill to the Bottom of holes or at least cover the Plates if you see them with Distilled water and then charge the Battery. If the car was running when you turned it off the Alternator is probably good. If, the Battery not loose or Corroded and it have water over the Plates then it may not hold a charge and need replaced. New car batteries good for 3-4 years. New Battery you buy, if, it a good one is good for 5-8 years.
2006-10-09 15:28:26 · answer #1 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The battery is bad. The reason your headlights dimmed the battery isn't holding the charge good enough....the accessories run off the battery...the altenator recharges the battery...most auto parts stores give a free battery check....also if your cables are corroded it could have the same results....That can be cleaned with baking soda and water.
If the altenator was bad .....your car would have just died on you when the battery was fully discharged(life learned).
2006-10-09 15:36:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly i'd check the battery... If the battery is bad it will cause the alternator to work hard to charge a battery thats useless.It goes into voltage regulators. if it see something below about 12.6 it will try to charge the battery. but if the battery is dead it'll never see it get over that.so check the battery voltage. usually you need at least 9.6~11.6 V to start your car
2006-10-09 15:27:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend that you take your vehicle to a reputable repair facility and have them do an AVR test. This test involves checking the battery, charging system and the starter. It's not expensive and saves tons of time and guess work.
2006-10-09 15:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by ron k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get the car started and take your hot post off and if it dies it is the alternator.
2006-10-09 16:21:36 · answer #5 · answered by emily b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds more like a dead cell in the battery,try replacing it
2006-10-09 15:26:07 · answer #6 · answered by artcherman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
loose battery cable or bad battery
2006-10-09 15:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by natallbad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check you cables..
2006-10-09 15:29:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋