About 2 weeks ago my car wouldn't start, the battery was dead. I could jump it (took longer than usual though) and ran it for an hour to make sure the battery would be charged. I purposely left the lights on when I took the key out and saw the lights go dim almost immediately. So I bought a new battery and the car ran just fine for the last 2 weeks (I took it on an hour trip so it should be ok).
Just the other day the car wouldn't start just like before. Last time it was more like it wouldn't turn over (I'd hear clicking). Now it doesn't even make a sound (the radio and lights work).
Friends told me this is my alternator (that perhaps I needed a new battery & alternator) or that wires are crossed. Do you know what's wrong?
2007-09-06 06:52:27 · 8 answers · asked by ? 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would say it is your alternator. The alternator job is to recharge the battery while your vehicle is running. When the alternator goes out it no longer recharges the battery and then the battery is drained of its power. Your radio and other options will still work because they do not draw alot of current.
If you know someone this mechanically inclined it is not a tough job to remove the alternator. I would have someone take it off then got a parts store and have them test it such as Auto Zone I know they do free testing.
2007-09-06 07:04:34 · answer #1 · answered by Brandon P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
96 Mercury Villager
2016-11-07 04:52:33 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A much more common problem is much simpler and less expensive to repair: check all your battery cable connections, both at the battery and on the other end. The can become very corroded at the points where they connect because the cables are not insulated there. Sometimes the corrosion acts as an insulator.
Disconnect & clean all the connections. Replace cables that look corroded. Wash your hands of the white powdery stuff; battery acid.
Good luck.
2007-09-06 07:09:29 · answer #3 · answered by Fu Quan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like an alernator to me. If you replace the alternator and then charge the battery, you should be fine. The only way to be sure is to have the alternator tested, but you have to get the car running to do that.
2007-09-06 07:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by blackcobra487 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the alternator output with an inexpensive volt meter. Radio shack, Sears, hardware stores, electrical supply shops, Lowe's, Home Depot and any auto parts store has volt meters. Set the meter @ 20 volts. probe the battery with the car running -black to negative and red to positive. You should see a minimum of 13.5-14.0 volts. Anything under 13.5 you need an alternator.
2007-09-06 07:07:08 · answer #5 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is old school problems. Disconnect the neg post after you have the vehicle running if the vehicle still runs your alternator is fine. replace the battery
2007-09-09 18:19:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're transforming into a undesirable head gasket or undesirable intake manifold gasket. The leak is close to the intake manifold, so look for a hose close to this section as this may be the 1st element to spring a leak. desire your outcomes are much less high priced than a head gasket.
2016-11-14 08:42:58 · answer #7 · answered by tine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
t's the alternater,i agree with your friends,i had the same problem with my 5th ave last winter.
2007-09-06 07:02:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋