I have a 1992 Grand Prix... I was driving down the road and my battery light came on. Sooo I just kept driving so I would make it home. Like 5 mins after the light came on everything started to shut down... My radio, dashboard lights, turn signal, outside lights, high beams, everything just gone. Sooo I got home turned off the car and it wouldn't turn back on. I put the battery charger on over night and this morning it still didn't work at alll!!! Would it be anything else or do I just need a new battery???
2007-10-31 12:50:51 · 25 answers · asked by Alicia F 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You have two things that could be wrong with it, so you will need to be careful until you know which one so you dont waste your money.
1) If the battery is bad it would not hold a charge, but since it sounds like it lasted long enough to get you home this is not the problem. However, your battery still might need replaced if it was drained too low.
2) the more likely problem is that your alternator went bad. This component is what keeps your battery charging all the time and, if that goes bad, it will do exactly what you mentioned (trust me, I had the same thing happen).
I suggest getting your alternator replaced (generally that is not too big a repair, it mounts to your engine) and see if that takes care of it.
2007-10-31 12:56:54 · answer #1 · answered by O Great One 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like your charging system is not working and you were probably running your battery way down with the lights and everything else going at the same time,.FIRST of all check your battery terminals for good connection .Dirty connections/ corrosion will stop the alternator from doing its job (charging the battery) If the current from the alternator or battery charger cant get in the battery it cant charge it. A new battery will probably start your car but does not guarantee it wont happen again very soon,so make sure your alternator is putting out. First make sure you didn't brake a fan belt that turns the alternator,all connections are clean and tight.now Start your car .now carefully remove the positive cable marked + if the car stalls out you probably need a new alternator. Good Luck ! Please If your not mechanically inclined I would suggest getting a little help.
2007-10-31 20:26:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you left the charger on all night then the battery should have enough juice to crank the car sounds like it is a bad connection at the battery or starter. Does your battery charger have a engine start mode on it. If so then turn it to start and try to crank the car. If not take the battery out and have it tested auto zone will do this for free. To make sure that your battery charger is working.
2007-10-31 20:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by franksnal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your alternator is no longer charging your battery.
From a master certified technician, your battery is not the cause of this symptom, I'm not saying your battery is in perfect health but the alternator is the cause of this symptom. Your local GM garage can check the health of your battery for free while replacing your alternator. You should call around and get an estimate on replacing your alternator. You may want to look at your local General Motors dealership, they offer a lifetime warranty on most alternator replacements. Don't settle for a cheap alternator with no warranty, you will regret it.
If your car is close to a GM garage you may be able to charge your battery and drive it there while some one follows you(to avoid a tow bill).
Good luck =)
2007-10-31 20:01:56 · answer #4 · answered by Crazy Paintballer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lift your hood, and see if you are missing a belt. It should be obvious, as pulleys ( round things on the front of other things ), will not have a belt ( strap ) going around it. usually the alternator is on top of the engine area in front, sometimes lower. Could just be a bad battery, but when the light suddenly comes on, it's rarely "just" a battery. Could just be a fuse blown to the alternator, or something else more serious. Good luck,
- The Gremlin Guy -
2007-10-31 19:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you started losing electrical accessories while driving, you have a problem other than the battery. Your alternator should be able to power all of the accessories as well as charge the battery while you drive. You have a bad alternator or some other problem in the charging system. Just a new battery won't help.
2007-10-31 19:56:10 · answer #6 · answered by Aldo the Apache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can check the condition of your battery with a simple volt meter 12.85 volts signifies a fully charged new battery. Anything less than 12 volts will hand out big trouble in the winter time. After purchasing a new battery start the car and tale another volt meter check of the battery with the car running. You should now see a voltage of 13.5 - 14.0 volts. Anything less than 13.5 means the belt's slipping or the alternator is faulty.
2007-10-31 20:21:46 · answer #7 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It must be your alternator, it failed to recharge your battery and the reason why your car was running and all your accessories were still on for awhile, because you were using the reserve capacity of the battery which will last for another hour or two. Normaly, a good battery will last you for about 4- 5years.
2007-10-31 19:55:39 · answer #8 · answered by "Misinformed" 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternator isn't rotating, and charging your battery. The battery may also be bad. I would get a new battery, and have the alternator tested. Also, is it cold in your area of the country? Coldness is hard on batteries.
2007-10-31 19:54:05 · answer #9 · answered by jasonmluna2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your alternator isn't charging your battery. Could be a bad battery terminal or cable. Could be your alternator belt needs adjustment, or that the alternator is going or has gone out.
Most auto parts stores will check it for free & then you'll know for sure.
2007-10-31 19:55:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋