03 VW Jetta, 2.0 engine. Could it possibly be the alternator? and why?
2006-11-16 07:03:16 · 11 answers · asked by rshorts46 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
DO NOT do as mentioned earlier....NEVER disconnect the battery from the electrical system while the car is running. Newer vehicles have very sensitive electrical systems and you can actually damage your electrical system by doing this.
Check the voltage with a volt meter while the car is running it should be around 13.8 to 14.2 volts DC whithout any stuff turned on like the heater/defroster, headlights or radio. If you have the proper voltage go for the battery. Take it out and take it to Autozone, Pep Boys or whatever. Most of these places can test your battery and make sure that it is bad before you replace it.
Make sure your connections are clean and tight to the battery. A little baking soda and water will clean them pretty well but a wire brush is best. CocaCola and Pepsi will clean them but they still make a sticky mess. Smear a little grease on the posts once everything is clean to keep them from getting dirty real quick. Battery failure is one of the most common problems people have when the weather turns cold.
NEVER create an open spark or have an open flame near a battery! They do explode!
2006-11-16 07:28:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A real simple way to see if it is the alternator: Jump the car and CAREFULLY remove the positive battery cable from the battery. If the car dies, then the alternator is bad.
You can take the alternator to an autozone, pepboys, etc to have it tested for free.
Alternators can go at ANY time.
2006-11-16 07:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by jimponder 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try bad battery first. If battery is bad, continually running car causes bad alternator. Both can be checked at local Auto-Zone, etc for free.
2006-11-16 07:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by James 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE ALTERNATOR HAS FOUR (4) DIODES ON A PCB TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. IF ANY OF THESE COMPONENTS HAVE DAMAGE, IT CAN NOT CHARGE YOUR BATTERY. TO TEST THIS ALTERNATOR, PLACE A DIGITAL VOLT METER ON THE PLUS (+) & (-) SIDE OF THE BATTERY BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE. NOTE THE VOLTAGE. NOW HAVE SOMEONE TRY TO START THE CAR. THE VOLTAGE SHOULD GO FROM AROUND 12.3 Vdc TO ABOUT 14.2 Vdc. IF NOT, REPLACE ALTERNATOR.
2006-11-16 07:12:27 · answer #4 · answered by Emrodrig 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the alternator is dead then the battery could have went too, if it is the alternator then you may be able to revive the battery after getting a new alternator
2006-11-16 07:23:42 · answer #5 · answered by JAMES F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might and might not be your altenator it sounds like your battery if none of the dash lights work when they should it is your battery or cables check the battery cable connections and any melted spots in the cables if they're good and tight and cleaned off take your battery out and take it to walmart or any auto parts store and they can check it and tell you if it's bad
2006-11-16 07:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by Brad B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that it's your alternator. If that is bad, your battery won't hold charge. It supplies the power....
2006-11-16 07:08:25 · answer #7 · answered by Hestia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
either the battery is bad or the alternator. as to why, maybe it's just your turn. @@it happens!
2006-11-16 07:07:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be causing by the fusible link blown, or alternator. Good luck.
2006-11-16 08:12:50 · answer #9 · answered by johnnguyen20032000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you have a bad battery. take it somewhere and have it checked.
2006-11-16 07:06:43 · answer #10 · answered by mitymouse30024 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋