i was driving home tonight and my car lights started getting dimmer and dimmer and i started losing power
the only way my car was on was because of the alternator running when i would put in the clutch and the rpm would drop it would almost die
its obviously a short draining my battery.
i looked and my belt on the alternator was still good and if it was the alternator i probably wouldnt have been able to get home.
so my question is.
how can i find out where the short is
i really need help
2007-12-25 15:20:03 · 11 answers · asked by Jamison A 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
ok the alternator was what is keeping the thing running though.
its like
my heat was on and the lights started getting dim and when i turned the heat off the light got brighter because it wasnt using as much power
new alternator was bought feb 07
new battery was bought oct 06
2007-12-25 15:29:59 · update #1
like i said ive had a car that the alternator belt fell off and the car just completely died and didnt just stay on until i got hom
2007-12-25 15:35:18 · update #2
ok heres another thing
when my odometer dropped to zero i shut off my lights and turned the lights back on again and it was good and i had to keep on switch on and off my lights so they could get brighter again
2007-12-25 15:55:00 · update #3
1988 honda prelude
2007-12-25 16:49:27 · update #4
no.....what got you home was what power that was left in your battery......your alternator stoped replenishing the power used ...so as you drove on your battery was loosing power at a steady rate.....get your charging system checked....most likely your alternator or associated wiring.......good luck!
2007-12-25 15:49:55 · answer #1 · answered by slipstream 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
most likey it is the alternator being bad not the battery. it sounds like you were running off the battery on the way home and the alternator was not charging it back up thats why the battery is dead now. take the alternator and battery out of the car and take them to the parts store for testing.
2007-12-25 15:26:07 · answer #2 · answered by justin c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, your batter may actually be dead. My 2006 Titan wouldn't start the other morning. I had to call a tow truck to come to the house, the dude said that the battery was only putting out 11 volts, which isn't enough to start the truck. He jumped it, I took it to the dealer and they put a new battery in. They said the alternator was good. There you have it. Batteries wear out faster than alternators.
2007-12-25 15:24:17 · answer #3 · answered by dlo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just my opinion...sounds like alternator is going bad...if left uncheck you will not receive any power at all (e.g. lights)
take car in for tune-up and check...
battery, spark plugs, alternator.
hey, i'm not a mechanic but had to deal w/ alternator trouble in the past...
go to Napa...may cost a little more, but quality is better.
aside: ask clerk whether their alternators are rebuilt or new.
2007-12-26 03:13:17 · answer #4 · answered by AILENE 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It most definately sounds like the alternator is at fault. Go to your local AutoZone and we will test your alternator for you, as well as inspect your cables, and test your battery- all for free! This way you will know what the deal is with your charging system. AutoZone store # 2945
2007-12-25 15:28:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds more like the battery is not holding the charge well, if increasing output from the alternator increases the available power. I'm not a mechanic, though.
2007-12-25 15:24:30 · answer #6 · answered by Joe D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Volt meters are one of the best and cheapest way to test your ALT. Fool proof they are only $ 5.00 at Harbor Freight a healthy battery should should read 12.6 volts with car off and with car on ALT. should read 14.2 with car running put on heat and lights it should not drop under 12 volts if it is under 12 with the car running it is under charging
2015-11-29 08:21:27 · answer #7 · answered by skeetersmail1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your alt. is OK, you would have made it home and prolly not noticed anything. If it's your batt. it wouldn't start in the morning. Get a jump and turn on the headlites; give it a little gas. If they get brighter, the alt, is good. If not, it's not.
2007-12-25 15:34:18 · answer #8 · answered by Bob H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely your alternator.
2007-12-25 15:35:13 · answer #9 · answered by mikk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would test alternator with wires to battery!!
what kind of car anyway?
2007-12-25 16:44:37 · answer #10 · answered by Ozdevil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋