car is currently dead
Miataracer
10-22-2003, 10:07 AM
ok so i went to try to start my car last night... nothing. seems i left the dome light on like a total fool. normally this wouldn't be a big problem but as it stands now I am at school with no tools, no battery charger, no jumper cables.
i think i am going to call AAA to come out and jump it for me but after that there is still a problem. i know it is hard on an alt. to try to recharge the battery... could even kill it. i need some opinions here because i have no access to a chager
:disappoin
i think i am going to call AAA to come out and jump it for me but after that there is still a problem. i know it is hard on an alt. to try to recharge the battery... could even kill it. i need some opinions here because i have no access to a chager
:disappoin
Killa_CRX
10-22-2003, 10:14 AM
it's not going to hurt the alt. to charge the battery, all that much.
Problem is, if the battery is completely dead, it may be dead for good... most batteries when you drain until they're dead, will not recharge and you just have to buy a new battery.
Could tell the AAA guy what kind of battery you need and go ahead and have him bring you a new one... or at least that's what I'd do.
Problem is, if the battery is completely dead, it may be dead for good... most batteries when you drain until they're dead, will not recharge and you just have to buy a new battery.
Could tell the AAA guy what kind of battery you need and go ahead and have him bring you a new one... or at least that's what I'd do.
i_a_n112784
10-22-2003, 10:14 AM
The alternator will be fine, just jump it, leave the cables on for a few seconds, and then let it idle for a min. I've had to jump a car a few times because i left a light on or something else stupid, and they were all ok in the long run.
I think if you have something like a 1000w amp going when the alternator is trying to recharge the battery, that might cause problems. Use common sense, turn off electrical devices when its trying to generate massive amounts of power
I think if you have something like a 1000w amp going when the alternator is trying to recharge the battery, that might cause problems. Use common sense, turn off electrical devices when its trying to generate massive amounts of power
Miataracer
10-22-2003, 08:23 PM
got the car jumped... after driving for about 10 minutes started to get the burning electrical smell... opened the hood and touched the alt. it was hotter than hell. but the batter must have gotten at least partially recharged because the car cranks over about normal speed again. i am just concerned that i might have damaged the alt.
i_a_n112784
10-22-2003, 09:52 PM
Thats not normal. I've jumped my own cars twice, and none of them did anything odd like that. And this is the first i've ever heard of something odd happening like that...
Miataracer
10-23-2003, 12:49 AM
yeah now there is a high pitch whine from under the hood... audible in car. so i better start looking for a new alt i guess
csaddict
10-23-2003, 03:15 PM
My wife has completely drained the battery in her Del Sol 5 times and I just jump it and its been fine. Never had an alternator problem. Thats odd.
Miataracer
10-23-2003, 04:30 PM
well seeing as how i am pushing 167,000 miles on what i suspect is the original alt. that might have been the final straw. but as of yet it still seems to be charging and sound hasnt gotten any worse...
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