A couple days ago my battery light would light up after I started my car, after a couple minutes it would go off. Today on the way home from work my car died. Got a jump drove a couple miles, died again. Got another jump but this time once the cables were removed it would just die. I am curious if I am just dealing with a dead battery or an alternator problem. Any guesses on how much this will cost me? I have a '98 Ford Escort ZX2
2007-03-27 11:32:03 · 9 answers · asked by IkeandTina 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
get a battery that will start the car first.then start the car and take off the negative battery terminal the car should stay running with the terminal off if it shuts off then you need a alternator.this is a simple accurate test.(negative terminal is the black one)
2007-03-27 12:58:21 · answer #1 · answered by beth j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternator
2007-03-27 18:38:49 · answer #2 · answered by douglas J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alternator problem. the battery is there to start the car ( and absorb any electrical spikes in the system, but that is another issue). the regulator is what maintains the voltage needed to keep the fuel pump pumping and the fuel injectors injecting and the headlights lighting, ect. the battery light glowing at you was letting you know that the charging system wasn't maintaining its needed appox. 14 volts to run. Now you know that whenever your car starts lighting stuff up, but will still work for you it is being nice and saying " I am giving you a chance to make it into a shop for repair, don't make me leave you stranded somewhere."
2007-03-27 18:46:23 · answer #3 · answered by rakkasan_man 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably a bad alternator, put your battery on a charger slow charger over night then go to Auto Zone Or Checker Autoparts store and get a free check-up. While your there get a battery post/terminal cleaner and ensure you arer getting a good conection. A poor connection had caused more problems than than anything else.
2007-03-27 18:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by spitfirepilot01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you need a new ALTERNATOR. if it died while you were driving, it means the car is not producing the energy to keep the battery charged. Probably $300-$500 at a mechanic to replace.
2007-03-27 18:41:24 · answer #5 · answered by cadillacrazy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the alternator, but the battery is probably drained and may have lost the charge also.
2007-03-27 18:42:15 · answer #6 · answered by H57heiny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
best guess would be alternator. Sounds like your car was just running off the juice from the battery,
2007-03-27 18:37:35 · answer #7 · answered by jonathon c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alternator for sure, but 150. to do it yourself is way steep. call your local parts store not the dealer, and if your town is large enough, call 2 or 3.
2007-03-27 18:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a charging (alternator) problem.
Cost depends on if you do the repairs yourself (~ $150.00) or have it done (~ $250.00)
2007-03-27 18:38:34 · answer #9 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋