Hi, the car starts immediately when I hook her up with jump leads from my wife's car, but not a flicker when I try to start her alone. I have a feeling that if she does this, then it *can't* be the alternator, but rather, the battery, which may have run flat.
Plus, all the warning lights are on the dash panels when I put the key in to start her.
Advice please?
2006-12-01 18:49:29 · 9 answers · asked by Never Going Back 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I should have said, she stays running after I start her up and disconnect the jump leads.
2006-12-01 18:59:18 · update #1
There are a number of things you have to check out.
1) When starting, a heavy current is demanded from the battery. A faulty or cracked terminal can prevent starting. Your using jump leads may actually help a cracked terminal clamp to grip firmly to the terminals. Check this out.
2) You may be using a lower rated battery and it is not powerful enough for cold starts. Check the car manual and see if it is the recommended rated amperes and size. The number of plates per cell can have a huge impact on starting.
3) Your battery may be on its final run, i.e. due for replacement.
4) When you change the battery, check and replace the terminals if needed.
If your car keeps on running after removing the jump leads, it is certainly not your alternator.
Hope this helps. Sometimes we may have overlooked something which causes problems at times. I had a car once which starts well when it is cold but refuses to start when warm. I later discovered that the starter armature had worn out the bush and due to expansion was sitting off center and jammed.
Some things defy logic, so look out for oddities and it will indicate your actual trouble.
2006-12-01 19:04:46 · answer #1 · answered by angstrom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First check the date code on the side of the battery. It is usually a small round sticker with a letter and a number- letter for month, # for year produced. Example; A/06 or A/6 means it was made in January of 2006. D/6 or D/06 means it was made in April 2006, etc... If your battery failed within it's warranty period you may replace it free from the place that sold it to you, or the place that carrys them. Have battery tested/ alternator tested at like an Auto Zone or Advanced Auto free of charge first. This way you know what your honestly up against. As far as the lights in dash are concerned, lets just hope that it is the battery or alternator that is the reason for this problem. Hope I have helped you. Jeremy
2006-12-02 02:58:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can start it with a jump but it will not stay running when you disconnect it is the alternator, the battery only exists to start a car and filter the power, after it starts it should power itself. Also running with a bad alternator usually overtaxes the battery so you will likely need a new battery even after you replace the alternator. If need be buy both at a junkyard until you can afford new ones both should be less then $50 together from a junkyard.
2006-12-02 02:57:23 · answer #3 · answered by Chris O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its probably your alternator.
If it starts on a jump and and start on its own...its usually a battery issue...But if you have to do this constantly...then you need to check your alternator out.
Batteries usually recharge after drving it for a while.
So a tell tell sign...when you jump the car and even after driving it for a while...and you turn the car off...and it doesnt start again...you need to replace the alternator.
Plus driving with a bad alternator strains the battery...so you may need a new battery as well.
What I would do is take the battery to Autozone, Oreilys, Murrays, etc...and have the battery tested. This way you can find out if the battery is still good or not...if the battery is good...then its the alternator. You can also take that off and get it tested...but most likely after all that its the alternator.
2006-12-02 03:03:17 · answer #4 · answered by Nate 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the battery and alternator checked by a mechanic its not costly. Here's an old trick for testing the alternator at home, start your engine and take a long narrow stick and place it on the alternator and the other end to your ear, if the alternator is faulty you will hear grinding noises. You should also verify the tension of your fan belt, this could also be a cause for your battery not charging. Good luck
2006-12-02 15:55:15 · answer #5 · answered by clusia2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Battery shot, not the alternator if car stays running after you do this, when you jump the car your just bypassing the bad battery.
2006-12-02 11:37:20 · answer #6 · answered by stealth5033 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would bet on the battery have it tested then worry about the alternator, if it went bad the battery will drain but with winter here the change in tempurature kills batteries
2006-12-02 02:58:56 · answer #7 · answered by Loki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would look at your battery as the problem. I don't think the battery is taking charge, do you have an amp gauge on your dash?
2006-12-02 05:40:44 · answer #8 · answered by nbr660 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is either the altenator or battery, you can have them both tested at most auto parts shops.
2006-12-02 02:53:51 · answer #9 · answered by Fruit Cake Lady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋