When I was driving my Honda Accord 1992 today and shut it down in front of a store, it wouldn't start up on me again. I opened the hood and tried to figure out what it could be. I thought that it could be the battery, so I asked somebody for a boost and it worked - the car started up again. I drove around for a bit but as soon as I shut it down again, it wouldn't start up. My questions is whether it is the battery or the alternator. I keep thinkng that it might be the alternator because whenever the battery died on me in the past, I could see that it was dying out over a period of time not suddenly like this. Any advice??
2007-07-27 15:38:21 · 15 answers · asked by AS 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
With regards to the alternator - the light did not come on.
The battery is about 6 years old.
2007-07-27 15:49:04 · update #1
It makes a simple click when I try to start it. This is the first time that it happened. It just died suddenly without showing any signs of dying out earlier. It was quite hot here today and we were doing a lot of driving around town.
2007-07-27 16:02:10 · update #2
It makes a simple click when I try to start it. This is the first time that it happened. It just died suddenly without showing any signs of dying out earlier. It was quite hot here today and we were doing a lot of driving around town.
2007-07-27 16:02:11 · update #3
When I try to start, there is a click sound in the starter - which remains still and my control lights dim.
2007-07-27 16:37:24 · update #4
I guarantee it is a dead battery. 6 years on a battery is the end of the line, you definitely got your money's worth! Summertime heat is the killer culprit, most likely a cell gave up the ghost, causing the battery to put out insufficient voltage/amperage to turn the starter. The "clickclickclick" sound when turning the key is the universal telltale on a Honda of a dead battery.
2007-07-27 17:42:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is the battery? If older than 5 years - battery is the most likely cause. That puts extra strain on the altenator and will burn it out too, so that happens secondly. Only thing to do is change the battery and then have the car checked for charging ability(you can go to one of those freebie charging checks) just so you know. Do not get into the habit of pulling off a battery cable to see if the car still runs as a way to check the altenator. Some altenators require that the battery be connected constantly in order for them to be under control (or even work). It is the way the altenator is wound internally.
2007-07-27 22:52:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The altenator is supposed to be able to power the car without use of the battery but if you were stopped at an idle it is possible that the car lost power due to the fact that the slowing of engine revolutions caused less power from the alternator and the battery didnt have the power to assist the car in running because it was bad. Pull the battery and have it tested its free and if thats not it pull the alternator. although you should probably go ahead and change the battery also.
2007-07-28 01:50:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound like a battery type problem. Does it make any noise when you try to start it ... a simple click? do you have a problem starting it when it is firsted started in the morning?
You may just have a starter that is going bad and pulling too many crancking amps when it gets hot for your battery but is over come and starts with a jump.
2007-07-27 22:59:03 · answer #4 · answered by d_optimizer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your battery connections are tight but first I would take your battery out and have it load tested at your local auto parts store.This is a free service and you will find out very quickly. They can also test your alternator on the car.If you have a multimeter you can start your car and see if you have a voltage reading of 13.8 to 14.5 volts at the battery.If you dont than it is without a doubt your alternator.
2007-07-27 22:45:26 · answer #5 · answered by tconroy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be the battery. If the car ran once it was jumped, then it was running off the alternator. The battery was too low to start the engine. Take it to a auto store and have them check the battery. good luck
2007-07-27 22:44:25 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One thing to remember alternators will not charge a dead battery,so the first thing you need to do is charge the battery until it's fully charged on a 10amp charge it will take about 24hrs.Once it is charged install in the car,get your self a multimeter follow the instructions on how to measure voltage with it,start the car connect the test leads black to NEG red to POS and read what voltage is available at the battery.
12.5 not charging 13 to 14.7 volts it's charging.
Hope this will help you.
2007-07-27 22:48:48 · answer #7 · answered by the bear facts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have someone jump start your car. If you drive to an Advance Auto Parts or Auto Zone they will test the battery/alternator for free and will tell you what the problem is. If it is the battery, you buy it there and they install it for free.
2007-07-27 22:46:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might be your starter if it is clicking, then your battery has juice still. Starters will when dieing will work one moment and not the next, Alternator could be to problem too
Take it to an auto part store and they can do a check on it for free. NAPA / O'Riellys ect.
2007-07-27 23:07:30 · answer #9 · answered by nbice66103 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the engine runs ruff at the end of you trip the alternator is failing or has failed if your head lights are dim the alt is junk jump starting the battery will shorten its life check the ground connection at the battery and the body ground take the car to kragens they will test it for free
2007-07-27 22:49:48 · answer #10 · answered by James K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋