No Start. Battery Light

[TicoSHO]

This morning on the way in my battery light came on. I was just going down US 19 on a very flat straight road. All of a sudden the battery light came on. It didn't drive any different. Got to work, parked, went to lunch, and stopped at Advance to have them check it since I needed tranny fluid anyway. This whole time I didn't have any starting problems. When I got back to work I forgot that I still needed to put in the tranny fluid. I went to start it back up and it gave me one almost turn over and then nothing. Went out 5 min later and it started a little slow, like with a dying battery. But they just told me that the battery is fine.
They did tell me that it might be the harness and not the alternator. Has anyone had a similar prob?
Thanks guys.

 

[TicoSHO]

Does the car need the alternator to drive? If I get it started can I get it home?

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

When the battery light comes on, it means the system isnt being charged...aka your alternator either isnt turning (belt broke) or the alternator is putting out less than 12.5 volts or something. (some cut-off voltage).

Your car ran fine with the light on, but it was running off of the battery. I bet it will start just fine with a jump from someone, but wont last very long at all.

Sounds like you need an alternator...and now possibly a new battery since yours is dead.

They told you the battery was fine...b/c it was and possibly still is (other than being low on charge).

 

[TicoSHO]

Sounds like you need an alternator...and now possibly a new battery since yours is dead.

Any idea how much it should be to swap?

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

How much to swap what?

For the alternator, if you have a few standard sockets/wrenchs, you can do it yourself. Judging by a picture on your cardomain site, you have an ATX. Use a wrench on the tensioner pulley and you have you belt off. Unplug the connector on the alternator. Take off the nut for the one wire. Take off 3-4 bolts. Shazaam...its off.

Autozone, Advance, etc will change the battery for you for free when you buy it.


Cost for parts: I think like $130-140 for alternator (lifetime warranty)...and I'd say around $50 for battery (3 year full, 7 year pro-rated warranty).