Help me ...my car is dead!

Hey sup ppl? Well i was on my way to my gurls house and all of the sudden my battery light came on. I thought my car died but it didn't so i kept driving.Then when i started it back up when it was time for me to go home..the car was fine till i turn on the head lights and it started to die. I was thinkin it could be the alternator but i just put one in like a year ago? I hope its the battery. Can someone tell me what it is?Thank you.

It sounds to me like it is the alternator....i think if it were the battery it would have trouble starting. Since the head lights are run by the alternator, as are the other electronic components once the car is started. Was the alternator used, new or reman.? Are you running a high powered stereo. that could possible cause the alternator to fail. i feel your pain about the alternator...i had mine replaced about 3 months ago. It was just about 300 parts and labor

Well i got it to jump it but it just dies again when i turn on the light...then when it died i tried starting it again and it just makes that clicking noise. I bought the alternator from a local junkyard for like 25 bucks? I installed it myself and it was bitch to do. I DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!!:(

most likely the alternator

definitly the alternator but you should try checking all the conections like the voltage meter conection if this conectionhas come loose then the computer cant tell the alternator to charge the battey all accesories on your car run off the battery no the alternator. all the altornator does is keep the battey toped off, if the alternator un every thing like the headlight and everything else you would have to be changing that thing like every year or so

Ok i understand. My car is like an hour away from home..would it do me any good if i just put a new battery on just to get me home? How much does a new alternator cost? Man i have change that thing again..its a bitch to do:(

most likely the alternator....but check all of the connections like he said above...but also make sure there isn't any corrosion on your battery posts...sometimes this will cause a loose connection and sometimes your battery will charge and rundown whenever it feels like it. ALSO....check to make sure your fan is working, oftentimes when your fan fails.....the alternator is the 1st thing to go out...this may be why you have reoccuring alternator problems.

I bought the alternator from a local junkyard for like 25 bucks

What's the alternator output?
Does it support the additional amp that is being draw from the battery by your stereo?

If it's within spec and installed right, then it's probably your battery not taking charge. Try checking the battery's status and check the connection from your alternator to the battery.

I have no stereo in my car ...the music i listen to is my engine:) Well i'm just gonna buy me a new battery and try to drive it home then i'll check the alternator. I just hope it works.

I concur. It's most likely the alternator. I suppose that's why you might look into a good remanufactured one this time instead of a junkyard throwaway....

Bummer. :(

Originally posted by fritz_269
I concur. It's most likely the alternator. I suppose that's why you might look into a good remanufactured one this time instead of a junkyard throwaway....

Bummer. :(

Yeah i think i might have to do that...how much do they go for?

Hey just reading the posts here.
And I have no idea what is wrong with your car.
*Alternator.
hmm... the battery...
No shouldn't be the battery.
I don't think that batteries in cars actually run out that easily.
I mean I don't drive yet so I don't know. (not old enough):bloated:

Originally posted by Type R
Hey just reading the posts here.
And I have no idea what is wrong with your car.
*Alternator.
hmm... the battery...
No shouldn't be the battery.
I don't think that batteries in cars actually run out that easily.
I mean I don't drive yet so I don't know. (not old enough):bloated:

Well the will run out fast if the alternator is not working. The battery needs the alternator to charge the battery to keep it goin.:)

Originally posted by mellowboy
Yeah i think i might have to do that...how much do they go for? Probably around $65-85. Should come with a two or three year warranty.
:cool:

Can i just rebuild it? Cause i heard there's a kit for it?

Can i just rebuild it? Cause i heard there's a kit for it?

Yes, you can rebuild it, but you will need a multimeter to check the diodes to see if they are working right and you will need to know how does the alternator works and all it's part from the ground up. Some alternator has an internal regulator and you will need to know how to check the cut-off voltage also. Over all if you know what you are doing and have the tools to rebuild it then it's a good idea to save yourself some money.

I don't have tools, or the skills to fix by myself so I have to go take it to go get my car fixed if it needs to be fixed.
(I don't have a car.):bloated:

just thought i would add, now that you obviously seem to have an alternator problem if you plan on getting a big stereo in the car you might wanna think about a higher amperage one and kill two birds with one stone. ohio generator is good, i belive stinger and those car electronics places make them to. oh by the way i used a fully charged marine battery to drive my moms car home from 35 minutes away but that might be pushin the envelope....

Originally posted by Tofuboy


Yes, you can rebuild it, but you will need a multimeter to check the diodes to see if they are working right and you will need to know how does the alternator works and all it's part from the ground up. Some alternator has an internal regulator and you will need to know how to check the cut-off voltage also. Over all if you know what you are doing and have the tools to rebuild it then it's a good idea to save yourself some money.

Ok i got the multimeter thing ..it sounds complicated..well 2 of my friends said they might have an extra alternator lying around so i'm just gonna go with that.

Originally posted by i like naked girls
just thought i would add, now that you obviously seem to have an alternator problem if you plan on getting a big stereo in the car you might wanna think about a higher amperage one and kill two birds with one stone. ohio generator is good, i belive stinger and those car electronics places make them to. oh by the way i used a fully charged marine battery to drive my moms car home from 35 minutes away but that might be pushin the envelope....

Yeah i already know that a big stereo system is bad for the stock alternator.I'm not goin for a big system though...just a simple cd player and some nice speakers thats all :) So you used a marine battery for your moms car? Yeah that sounds like a good idea......but my gurl lives like an hour away from me! Well if i drive i can get there in 30-40 mins!I'm just gonna buy a regular "die hard" battery and see how far i can get.Hopefully i can get home with it?

I just found out what was wrong with my car. I just found out that my altinator belt was off!! SO what i did was i took the a/c belt and used it on the altinator. I know its not good but it worked . So i got it home now and i have to go buy me a new altinator belt.So i'm just happy that i don't have to buy a new altinator!!

Originally posted by mellowboy
I just found out what was wrong with my car. I just found out that my altinator belt was off!! SO what i did was i took the a/c belt and used it on the altinator. I know its not good but it worked . So i got it home now and i have to go buy me a new altinator belt.So i'm just happy that i don't have to buy a new altinator!!
Duh! *smacks forehead* :bloated:

Perhaps next time we'll just look under the hood. :thinkerg:

Go get the right belt and have it properly tensioned; glad things worked out for you. :cool:

Originally posted by fritz_269

Duh! *smacks forehead* :bloated:

Perhaps next time we'll just look under the hood. :thinkerg:

Go get the right belt and have it properly tensioned; glad things worked out for you. :cool:

Shit i know rite? LOL..yeah well guess what...the ac belt fell off now!!!:( But i'm gonna get the belt today! Thanks !!

Originally posted by fritz_269

Duh! *smacks forehead* :bloated:

Perhaps next time we'll just look under the hood. :thinkerg:

Go get the right belt and have it properly tensioned; glad things worked out for you. :cool:


dont ya just hate it when its the most stupid and simple thing that you overlook.

i forget how it goes but its something like "all things being the same, the simplest answer should be correct"

Originally posted by i like naked girls



dont ya just hate it when its the most stupid and simple thing that you overlook.

i forget how it goes but its something like "all things being the same, the simplest answer should be correct"

"All things being the same, and the simplest answer should be correct"
*SHHMAK:confused: