Yesterday I was driving my car and all of a sudden I couldn't accelerate. I pulled over and my car just died. I couldn't get it to start again. I tried to have it jumped but it still wouldn't start. Could it be the alternator? Because the other day My friend's car was dead and we tried to jump his car but I have a Malibu and we could'nt do it. Do you think we could have done something to my alternator? Thanks.
2007-01-28 23:32:19 · 7 answers · asked by Bubba 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Do you think this could have anything to do with needing antifreeze?
2007-01-29 01:16:09 · update #1
You probably did bust a timing belt.Same thing happened to me awhile back.I was just driving down the road and then BAM-the car just quit running.It would turn over but wouldnt start just outta the blue.My timing belt broke causing the engine to shut down.This is very common.Be sure you replace the water pump also when you change the timing belt.Once you rip the car apart you'll understand about the water pump.
2007-01-29 00:55:39 · answer #1 · answered by lift&shift 101 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the car turns over but won't start its definitly not the alternator. If it was the alternator, it would start with a jump and run for a little while after you disconnected it from the other car. To me this sounds like the car is not getting fuel. Check fuel pump and fuel pump relay. Another possibly could be in the spark, make sure you are getting spark...
Edit: just a thought, if the timing belt went out wouldn't it of died instantly? See if the timing belt went out, the camshaft would not be moving, which means the valves would not be moving either. This would strave the engine of air which means no combustion, and prevent the engine from letting exhaust gases out too. The engine should've died instantly, not struggled to a stop. No top of that wouldn't the pistons be hitting the valves? You'd hear that...
2nd edit: no this has nothing to do with antifreeze... I drove my car 10 miles with no water or antifreeze when my water pump went out, I had to keep stopping to let it cool. Antifreeze has to do with the cooling system and nothing more...
2007-01-29 08:35:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did your lights dim or the radio go out by chance- before it died?? Get the battery check- when the alternator goes- often the battery is drained- I doubt if you did something to the alt. I noticed that my lights started to dim before it totally went-travelling from Ca to Nm- so I did not shut it off til I got home-
Anyway - many car parts stores will check for free- alt and battery- D
2007-01-29 07:41:56 · answer #3 · answered by Debby B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No if alternator or battery was bad it should still have started with a boost, you may have a broken timing belt or possibly your fuel pump is gone.
2007-01-29 08:04:58 · answer #4 · answered by wheeler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Mr Wheeler.
but I will nail on fuel pump.
2007-01-29 08:20:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very unlikely it's the alternator problem.
2007-01-29 07:37:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just a guess . tore a tooth off drive belt
2007-01-29 09:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by A_GUY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋