Battery or Altenator?

Question

I have lights, but it won't turn over, and I haver radio, it was sluggish, now it just won't turn.

Sorry this is my second question concerning this. But I narrowed it down to those two.

I had the corosion cleaned off the other day, and had it recharged, then it ran out of charge, its over a year old. But it could be bad?

I made it home from work just now with a jump, I brought the portable jumper with me just in case. I will try to start it again later with out a jump. I seriously thank you for all your answers. It helps me tremendously.

Answer 1

IF your headlights burn bright and go dim when you try to start it, you have a bad connection to/from the battery - corrosion, damaged cable etc. check the other end of the ground cable to the chassis also.

IF after recharging it goes dead after a few days or after a long trip as opposed to around town a few miles, it is probably in the charging system of the car - alternator, wiring, or control system.

IF right after charging it doesn't start like a new battery - slow, sluggish - then it is probably the battery.

IF it goes dead while parked overnight you have a slow leak - like a light that isn't turning off - trunk, glove box, etc.

Best bet is to let the people at your local parts store check it out with their test system.

Answer 2

Your next step is to get a jump start and drive to an auto parts store to get another battery and charging system check. Your alternator is probably not charging the battery. Alternately, since you've probably got a bad alternator and will need a new one installed, I would simply drive it to the repair shop that's going to install the new alternator. Try going to Pep Boys auto centers on a Sunday for good service and a new alternator. Once the car is started, don't turn it off until you get to the repair shop or you won't get it started again.

http://pepboysstorelocator.shoplocal.com/pepboys/store_finder.aspx?action=storefindernuep

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43793/article.html

Answer 3

An Alternator with a Bad Diode with drain the battery in a short amount of time. Check Connections at Starter & Starter Solenoid, Wires Clean, Dry & Secure. If you can't jump start it 1; Battery has a dead cell (which it shouldn't have from what you said). 2; Alternator is shorting to ground.

Answer 4

hi if your lights go dim when you try to start it up the battery is flat, charge up the battery then carry on as normal if the battery goes flat in a short amount of time and battery light is on its your alternator some places do a free check for you and tell you which one is U/S

Answer 5

The first thing in a process of elimination is to be sure the battery cable connections are clean of corrosion.

Answer 6

Sounds like the alternator...... try this check.... jump the car and get it running.... remove the positive terminal if the car dies then the alternator is bad, if the car stays running it is good.

Answer 7

Check your charging rate with a voltmeter and load test your battery

Answer 8

OK YOU CAN CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A DEAD CELL IN YOUR BATTERY, GO TO ADVANCE OR AUTO ZONE THAT IS A FREE CHECK,NOW IF YOU CAN CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THE MOTOR WONT TURN OVER YOU WILL HAVE A STARTER ISSUE IF IT,S DRAGGING OR A CLICK NOISE,

Answer 9

You didn't mention if you drive with your lights on or if you just tried them while parked....If you use them while driving and it's bright while you give it gas , dim when you let off then most likely alternator

Answer 10

Battery,but the cause for it to fail could be the alternator too.