Dead Alternator? Funny sounds.

[JwUoNoG]

My car won't start. I just installed a new battery on Sunday. It also happened on Monday. I turned on the car and tried to drive. As soon as I did, the car turned off, and I had to push start it. Other than that, it's been fine, until today.

Today after work, I tried to turn on the car. All the lights came on for a split second, then it died. I had to get a jumpstart. When we took the jumper cables off of the positive terminal, we accidentally pulled a wire out that was connected to the terminal. The car died. This led me to believe it was my alternator.

We jumpstarted it again, I drove home. When I first got the car moving, it bogged a LOT, and the check engine light was on. Then it went away. I noticed one of the lights behind my gauge was also not working. Everytime I pushed in the clutch, the lights dimmed a little.

I got home, let the car sit for a while. I finally turned the car off. As soon as I did, the lights went out. The car wouldn't start again, as I had expected.

My friends tell me it's my alternator, I also think it is. Is it?

------------------------
I also had a funny noise coming from my car. It also made this noise when my battery was dead/dying. The noise seems to be coming from my back seats. It starts on my driver's side. It's a clicking noise, like dak dak dak dak dak dak dak dak. Sounds like something is spinning, and hitting something on every rotation, which is causing the click noise. I turn the key a little, the sound moves a little more to the passenger side of the back seat. I think it's my fuel pump?

But why would it make this noise? Is this a power draw? And is it related to the dead alternator?

When I put the key in, the noise stops.

 

[JwUoNoG]

anyone?

 

[BLUEBLOTCH]

Have you tried simple things like Making sure you battery cable a completely connected?! I know it sounds stupid but it happens

Also check your Fusable links. That was what the matter with mine was, Alt link.

 

[JwUoNoG]

No, I didn't try that yet. I'll try it when I get home. I hope that's what it is, rather than an alternator.

I was driving around on a bad battery for about 2 weeks, that's probably what took out my alternator.

 

[BLUEBLOTCH]

Also you can get your alternator tested at a chain auto parts store usually.

 

[JwUoNoG]

I fixed it.... my battery terminals were corroded and stuff.... haha.

that's what happened last time though... why do they keep corroding so quickly?

I'll update in a few hours.... and make sure the car still starts.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Lucky I have to get a new alternator and starter in the next few months

 

[BLUEBLOTCH]

I think you can get those little "washer" type think usually green and read to keep the corrosion down.

 

[doodie]

Or you can stick a penny on top of the terminals to keep the corrosion away. Copper helps

 

[JwUoNoG]

Yay! the car worked! However, I found something weird, which you can see here http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1428953#post1428953

I'm gonna take the car to autozone and get it checked out.

 

[JwUoNoG]

I just took the car to AutoZone, they said the alternator was going out. It only read 11.5 volts. What is a normal voltage level?

 

[RamenPride]

I just took the car to AutoZone, they said the alternator was going out. It only read 11.5 volts. What is a normal voltage level?

about 14.4 with engine running, a little over 12v when not

 

[JwUoNoG]

Yikes. It was 11.5 with the engine running.

How much longer do you think it'll be til it totally dies?

 

[BLUEBLOTCH]

I am not sure about how long it will last but when it does go it suck big time, your head unit will dim or turn off your head light will get REALLY dim and then all your gauges then eventually die, wherever you are. :thumbdown

If you have the $$$ do it ASAP its not that difficult.

 

[skinnyt]

and also put grease yes grease on your battery connections that will help with the corroded cabels trust in me.

 

[RamenPride]

How much longer do you think it'll be til it totally dies?

probably not much longer. I'd replace it soon before you get stranded somewhere.