car question?

Question

i have a 2001 suv with the original battery in it. for the past few days i have had trouble starting it but it will eventually start up. can anyone give me some advise about if its the battery or the alternator. i really dont want to go buy a battery if its still good. please help

thank you

Answer 1

Based on the limited info,I would guess that your battery is on it's last leg.
If you had an alternator problem,the vehicle would probably die on you while you were driving and not restart.

Answer 2

Start the vehicle and disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. If it stays running the alternator is fine. If it stalls the alternator is a goner. Usually with a bad alternator your car would stall out while your driving. Batteries will normally give you trouble after sitting a while like overnight, especially in winter.

Your problem is more likely the battery but before buying a new on you should check the water level in the battery (even batteries that are labeled "maintenance free" need water and it should be checked twice a year. the battery probably has two rectangular caps on the top with three holes under each one (Some batteries have six screw in caps that you can remove using a quarter to unscrew them). the inside of the holes have a flange like a tube going down into the battery about an inch with notches that go about halfway up them. the water level should be at least at the bottom of the flange but not higher than the top of the notch. use only distilled water to top up the battery and give it a 20 to 30 minute drive at freeway speeds to make sure it fully recharges so it doesn't freeze on you overnight.

DO NOT ALLOW ANY OF THE BATTERY FLUID TO GET ON YOU. It is acid and will burn your skin, clothes or even your cars paint.

in re amsoil dealer: a healthy fully charged battery should read anywhere from 12.6 to 13.4 volts. the higher the better.

Answer 3

If it is hard starting, but turning over as it always did, it isn't the battery...check things like fuel pumps, fuel filters, air filters, plugs, plug wires, rotor and cap (if it has those, probably not).

newer cars can start hard for a lot of reasons, but if it runs rough when it finally starts, try vacuum hoses as well. Any small vacuum leak will cause all sorts of frustration...

Or did I misunderstand your question? If all you get is a click for a while, but it eventually turns over, it could be corroded terminals on the battery, or bad connection on the starter. Since it does start, take it to an auto parts store and have them do a load test on the battery, then you'll know.

Answer 4

Sounds as if it may be the battery but check the terminals where the wires hook to the battery, they may be coroded which would create a high resistance and cause trouble starting. If they look OK, go to an auto store and have them test the battery. They usually don't charge but they expect you to buy a new battery from them if it is needed. Good luck

Answer 5

take it to autozone or advanced auto or where ever and have them check the battery with the car off. if it reads 12 volts its good, if it runs fine once its started your alternator is fine. particularly when your at a stop light if you have a multimeter you can do this your self just set it to dc and see how many volts it is pushing. if its the battery, get a die hard or if you wanna save money go to sams club and buy one there

Answer 6

take your vehicle to your favorite repair shop. it could be the battery but if eventually starts up it sounds like you have a problem with the starter.

Answer 7

its battey, too old. you must live in cold place, !!!
well battery should be changed every 3 to 5 yrs.

well alternater only chages your battery, and doesnt do any thing while engine is starting, it works after engine run to recharge battery.

battery,, you should recharge it, and check its water level if it is acid type. but recommend you to replace it!!

how cold is there? cuz battery acid dont decompose in cold weather thats why your battery lasted so long right? lol