my car all of a sudden wont start? I jumped it ran it around the neighborhood and the minute i shut it off it died again. there was no sign of either one of these componants going bad...help!??!
2007-05-18 04:58:24 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
you have a bad battery, replace it, you would not have been able to drive the car around if you had a bad alternator.
2007-05-18 13:46:43 · answer #1 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it ran while you were driving it, and you were not getting a battery light (or under 12 volts if you have the voltmeter option) it is NOT your alternator, it is supplying enough to run the car without a problem. But apparently the battery isn't taking a charge. Get another jump, go to your favorite auto parts store and have the battery tested. Maybe they will even install the new battery for you.
But first, check your connections to the battery and made sure they are good and tight and clean, since that could give the same symptoms. Usually not though if a jump was successful.
2007-05-18 05:04:49 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your battery is 5 years old, buy a new battery to start with. Otherwise, drive your car to an auto parts store like Auto Zone or any auto parts store that sells batteries, and most do. They will test your battery and charging system for free. Most likely you will need a new battery, and the sooner you get one, the better the chance that you won't burn out the alternator in the mean time.
2007-05-18 05:10:28 · answer #3 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three components that start your car. The starter, alternator and battery. Since your car actually started, I'm thinking it is the alternator because the alternator charges the battery while you drive. When you took it for a drive this should have occured. To be sure what the problem is, if there is an AutoZone near you, they can test the components and tell you exactly what the problem is. They provide this service for free. To find one near you you can go to: www.autozone.com.
2007-05-18 05:13:21 · answer #4 · answered by Gregory C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Easiest way is to have them both checked. However, since you charged the battery and the car started, that means that the battery could hold a charge. Because, it didn't have a enough power to start a second time probably means the alternator was not charging the battery like it should have been.
2007-05-18 05:02:08 · answer #5 · answered by kdog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your batery was dead and you jumped it and drove it, if it didn't die while you were driving it the alternator was probably working and your batery won't hold a charge any more. How old is your Battery they usualy only last 5-6 years if nothing bad has ever hapened to it. Jump your vehicle again and turn on your lights and heater see if that makes your car die, if it does it could be the alternator if it doesn't it is not your alternator it is your battery
2007-05-18 05:13:31 · answer #6 · answered by porterc2133 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fully charge the battery, start the car, then remove the negative battery cable. If the car dies, the alternator is the problem.
2007-05-18 05:01:21 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you jump it off, and it runs, remove the pos + batt cable momentarily if it continues to run the alternator is putting voltage out, must still be checked to see how much but it is working, check your connections on the battery and your solenoid if they are corroded, but once you are ready and have jumped it off, have someone follow you to autozone and they will hook a machine up to your battery and tell you exactly what is wrong for free.
2007-05-18 05:06:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the terminals on your battery,especially the Negative one. At night once you get your car running,see if your headlights are going dim. Then it's your alternator that isn't recharging your battery causing it to lose power.
2007-05-18 05:10:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take the battery to any auto parts store and they will test it for free. They will also test your alternator for free if you can get the car into their parking lot. Try Auto Zone or Pep Boys
2007-05-18 05:07:39 · answer #10 · answered by Mick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋