Battery Vs. Alternator

I am pretty sure my 99 Civic has either a bad battery or a bad alternator. Can anyone tell me if there are any test I can do without special tools to tell which one is the problems. :confused:

Thanks in advance.:smoker2:

Try jump starting it. If that won't get it to kick over. I would suspect the alternator. They can also test that kind of stuff at Checker Auto parts.

Thanks for the reply. I am just very mechanically challenged. (too put it nicely). Also one thing i forgot is that i put a charger on it when it wouldn't start. It started, but everytime i got to a stoplight the car would act like it wanted to stall. So i went home and just let it idle in my driveway to see if it would actually stall (it stayed running). It has never done that before, it has run like a dream until yesterday. Once I turned off the car even after trying to charge the battery again it would not start.


So last night i got a new battery, and tried to start it. It still would not start. I noticed that when i put the charger on the new battery, the battery was almost drained. Do you know if a bad alternator would drain a battery with just a couple turns of the key?


:)

The alternator can. It sounds like the alternator is not keeping the batter charged. It sounds like it is a bad alternator.

Well since you where nice enough to respond i thought i would let you know that it turned out to be bad battery. After i replaced the battery i guess the stock alarm turns on the starter kill. Once i hit my alarm (on accident) it started right up.

I really appreciate your help. Have a great holiday!

WOW! That was interesting. Funny alarm. :D

Sure no problem, anytime.

hello, I was kinda having the same problem.

I put a brand new battery in my car, and when i turn the key all i hear is clicking, my car doesnt even try to turn over. I got a friend to jump my car and it worked, so i just let the car run. but then the car died in about 3 minutes. the the car wouldnt start again, i had the alternator replaced 2 years ago. so i hope it isnt the problem,

THANK YOU

Was the battery charged when delivered?

Yep the battery was charged,
could the problem be that my battery cables arent allowing enough current to pass threw them. They were fairly dirty so i cleaned the ends and a few wires came off. i dont have enough cable to cut it back for new clean cable so i just reattached with what i had. I am gonna replace the corroded cable when it gets a little warmer outside. But could that be my problem?
Thanks for the help

It is possible yes.

Remember, places like AutoZone will test the alternator for free. All you have to do is remove it...(usually a simple task of removing a couple of bolts) then take it into the store. I would assume that other auto parts stores would provide this service as well. (Sears, NAPA, etc.)

Good Luck!