battery or alternator?????

[FrOsTyShO]

Well, two days ago i blew a coolant line while racing a buddys beamer, needless to say i won finger , but anyway the engine came close to overheating, but i shut her down before it could. Then engine ran fine after the repairs that i made, but last night after i got her back on the road, i started the car, but then in a minute or two the battery light came on and the headlights went dim. Then i started to drive home so i wouldn't get stranded somewhere and the radio went off and then came back on and then the abs light came on. So i made it home and i turned the car off and then just to see i try starting it and it cranked real slow and then started up. I let it run for a bit then tried starting it again but it wouldn't turn over this time. So this morning i went back out to start it and it started almost normally but the battery light was still on. So know i dont know what to do as the battery and alternator are less than a year old. The alternator was making a lot of noise before because the engine belt was way lose and slipping. Anyone have any ideas?????

 

[wood_e]

Get them tested. Based on what your situation is however I would say alternator.

 

[freeze]

a quick test to see if its the alternator is while its running disconnect the battery and if the enginge dies then its probaly the alternator. It does sound like your alternator, also make sure you belts are tight because this also could shorten the life of the charging system.

<small>[ December 24, 2003, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: freeze ]</small>

 

[NetNinja]

Ditto

The alternator.

Get it rebuilt. Someone told me the newer alternators are made from cheaper/thinner copper wiring.

 

[projectSHO89]

freeze:
a quick test to see if its the alternator is while its running disconnect the battery and if the enginge dies then its probaly the alternator.

Ack! Do NOT do this! If you do, you seriously risk damaging anything electronic in your car.

Buy and use an inexpensive meter.

Steve

 

[AutoSHO]

projectSHO89:

freeze:
a quick test to see if its the alternator is while its running disconnect the battery and if the enginge dies then its probaly the alternator.

Ack! Do NOT do this! If you do, you seriously risk damaging anything electronic in your car.

Buy and use an inexpensive meter.

Steve

I second that, DO NOT do that!!!

Also, check and clean all your battery connections.

 

[autobahnsho]

You can go to Autozone and have them test it for free. Then you'll know whether it's battery, alternator, or something else.

Merry Christmas, and good luck!

 

[PuckHead]

FROSTY:

See my recent thread on this very subject HERE.

Your problem sounds very much like mine. Mine turned out to be the Alt. Got an AutoZone replacement 'Duralast' (p/n 13212) for $180, with the lifetime warranty. Good Luck!

Later!
burnout