Car issues.....advice needed.?

Question

So I was driving to work Monday morning and as I pulled into the parking lot my Battery light and Service Engine Soon light popped up. I put my car in park, turned it off and tried to restart it. No luck...stone cold. It wouldn't turn over and the lights would not turn on. I was going to get a jump start put my uncle advised me not to try. He said the alternator would drain the battery before I made it home or even to the shop. Everyone I've described the problem to thinks the alternator probably gave out. I would tow it to the shop but I don't want to spend too much on something that is easily fixed. So basically I'm asking what my options are. Does this sound like the alternator a different problem? Advice much appreciated

Somebody suggested that I get a car battery charger and plug it in all day while I'm at work. After eight hours it should be able to start up and I should be able to at least drive it home/shop from there. Would that work???

Oh...It's a 1999 Dodge Neon.

Answer 1

Your problem sounds like either a bad battery or alternator. I would try charging the battery overnight if you can and check the voltage. It should have 13.5 to 13.8 volts. Make sure all of the connections are clean and free of corrosion. Make sure the connections to the starter and alternator are also free of corrosion. If your battery has good voltage then your problem is most likely your alternator. Before you buy a new one take it to a parts store like pep boys or auto zone and have it tested. If it isn't the alternator or the battery you might have a broken wire between the battery and alternator or a broken wire between the starter and the battery or the starter and the ignition switch. It doesn't happen very often but it has happened to me. It can be confusing but it isn't overly difficult. You might check your wires for inline fuses. I worked on a dodge that had the fuses in the wires. Good luck.

Answer 2

The battery charger at work was a good idea. If it starts after being charged do not run the radio the ac or the lights if you can help it all these things will drain the battery faster and not allow you to drive as far before it dies. Even while it is running if the battery drains completly the car will die. If you can get it started autozone or a parts store like it normally will test the battery and alternator for free. Good luck

Answer 3

I had a similar prob a few years ago. The problem occured right after I hit a pothole. After a bunch of work testing different parts, it turned out to be an internal short in the battery. Figured that out after I burned up the second battery charger. Check the voltage on the battery. Should be 13 to 14 volts. If it is real low could be a bad battery.

Answer 4

I'm not sure if that car has a fuseable link from the battery or not, check with your manual or dealer, and if so where the location might be.
The fact that it died suddenly would indicate some sort of immediate failure, and/or a complete failure of the battery.
Jump start and check voltage coming from the alterator, or at the battery, if it's above 13vdc, then the alternator is not at fault, and the problem lies with the battery itself. If when running from the jump start the voltage is not above 12.5 to 13volts, then the alternator is bad.
Make sure the terminals on the battery and cables are clean before any other test or starting.

Answer 5

The best thing to do is to take the alternator off and take it to a auto parts store like autozone and let them check it and see if it is good.

Most likely, it is the alternator.

If you have access to a jump start or another battery, get the car started. Take a voltmeter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals. It should be around 13.8 or so. If not, then the alternator is bad. good luck.