I have a 2000 ford taurus. the battery light came on and stayed on for about 15 mins, while the car was running. and with the car still running after 15 mins it went off. battery? alternator? how much time do i have before it completely goes? also if it goes and is the alternator can you still jump that battery?
2007-06-19 02:06:14 · 6 answers · asked by Dink 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
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the battery light has nothing to do with the battery
its triggered by the alternator when the voltage is to high or to low
this is why the battery goes dead because it isn't being charged
yes you can jump it but you will need to charge it let the other car run 10 minuets before you start yours and you can go a little way
2007-06-19 02:34:07 · answer #1 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are all excellent answers so far. But as you asked, if "it goes", and it's alternator, it's useless to jump the battery. Because if the alternator is gone, the ONLY power for your car, for the spark plugs, for burning the gas, is from the battery. If the battery is already dead, then there's no way to power the spark plugs to burn the gas, etc, etc. If you did jump the battery, it'd have power to start the car, while only hooked up to other car.
It is the alternator which allows your car to run, making the voltage for the engine and plugs to work. The battery is only a storage unit for when you start the car (or run the radio/cd/dvd/gps while mom's in at the grocery store).
If the alternator goes or the alternator belt breaks while you're driving, you'll use the power in the battery to keep the car running, which would then last only about an hour. I know from experience......twice!!
As everyone has already said, have it checked out NOW!! If all you need is a new belt, you've done good. And if you find the alternator and/or battery need replacing, you've also done good, getting them fixed before you're stranded somewhere. Good luck.
2007-06-19 09:47:26 · answer #2 · answered by tlworkroom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I doubt it's the battery because the battery usually won't cause the charge light to come on even if it is going bad. That light is almost always wired directly to the alternator. It could be as simple as a loose alternator belt or a loose/corroded wire, but it is more often the alternator going bad. The first thing I would do is, with the engine NOT running, see if you can turn the alternator pulley by hand without doing anything to the belt. If you can, the belt is very loose and you probably just need to tighten it. If it won't turn, then I'd take the alternator to a parts place and have them test it. To have them test it, you have to have it out of the car, because they put it into a test machine. Don't be worried about taking it out, it's usually pretty easy to do.
Good luck!
2007-06-19 09:36:50 · answer #3 · answered by Jonathan R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a belt slipping, loose wire or alternator going bad. Get to a parts place or mechanic and have charging system checked; could last a month or die today. Can still jump it; but no way to know if there will be enough charge to keep it running.,
2007-06-19 09:11:12 · answer #4 · answered by wizjp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have the original battery in your car, it needs immediate replacement. Drive in to any auto parts store chain and have your battery and charging system tested for free. See the jump start video procedure below.
2007-06-19 09:33:30 · answer #5 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just go to auto pts store..they test battery/alternator for free....probibly need new battery...why wait until ur stuck on the side of the road?
2007-06-19 09:17:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋