IT ALMOST CAN'T DRIVE NOW. I HAVE TO GO FIXING IT. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME?
2006-10-16 05:57:50 · 5 answers · asked by combat_1976 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Start your car, while it is running,take the positive cable off of the battery, If the car cuts off when you remove the cable, your alternator is bad
2006-10-16 06:09:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Question lacks details but I'll give it a try. take the alternator down to your Auto parts center. They have a tester there that will test the Alternator. If it tests good, then your battery is to blame. If it's bad pick up a new Alternator. I mention to take the alternator down instead of the battery for 1 reason. the battery would need a full charge on it in order to be tested correctly. So if you do not have a charger it would make it difficult to have it tested. the Alternator just needs to have a drive belt put on it and they can test it. Try this and see if it helps. If your battery is 4 or 5 years old I would look at getting a new one while your picking up the Alternator. Most battery's have problems after 4or 5 years. Removing the battery cable while the car is running may do damage to the Alternator, Most alternators now are internally regulated. when the car is running you have a draw on the battery as well as the altenator. Removing the cables will burn out the Diodes in the alternator or blow the regulator. Then you are Forced to get a new alternator.
2006-10-16 06:11:26 · answer #2 · answered by gearnofear 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
check the date on the battery. If its too old and there is a problem with the alternator then it could be a combination of the two not feeding off of one another. If you change both of them at the same time you may be much better off. It shouldnt be more than $150 to get them both changed and you could even do it yourself with a little help.
2006-10-16 06:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by Michael T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
once the car is started, the electrical systems run off of the alternator. So if you start the car and still the headlights don't work or the horn won't beep and the radio doesn't work, it's the alternator. When the car is off, the electrical systems run off of the battery.
2006-10-16 06:00:52 · answer #4 · answered by 006 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YOU NEED TO GIVE US THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR IN ORDER TO HELP BETTER. IF IT'S YOUR ALTERNATOR, YOUR CAR WON'T TURN OVERSO THAT'S OUTTA THE QUESTION. ALSO, IS IT STICK OR AUTOMATIC?
2006-10-16 06:12:33 · answer #5 · answered by tblilevil 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋