Alternator ? car wont idle

[stache009]

Ok my car died one night for no reason and then i waited and it started back up we found out the battery was dead we put a new battery in and it was running good for a lil while but not anymore it still has power such as lights work and everyhting even when the car is off except when i let it idle or push the clutch in and the rpms get low the battery light and brake light and radiator light come on and it dies like it isnt getting any power but when i am like at 3 or 4 rpm it is fine but once the rpms get lower thoes lights will start to slowly light up till they glow bright and then the car dies but it starts back up with no prob and the alternator belt keeps squeeling. any help would be great
thanks

 

[gsx_tuner]

Two things, check the belt, make sure it is tight. Also try the knife on the back of the alternator test. Hold a butter knife flat ways one inch from the back of the alternator. If it magnetically pulls toward the alternator, then it is good. Please don't kill yourself in the process, keep clean of anywires. There are better ways of testing this, like going to a car place such as AutoZone, and having them come out and do a free test. But you should be okay. If your alternator checks out okay, then you probably have a bad ground from the battery to wherever the black wire goes. Check where it goes, and look for dirt or grime that may not let it get a good ground. Also check for corrosion, or decay, or fray. Replace the whole cable if you can't repair it. My friend recently had this problem with his 90. When he stepped on the brakes or something else, it would cause everything to go dim, and start acting very weird.

 

[stache009]

Thanks ill see what i can do but im gonna have to wait till it is warmer out and there isnt 3 feet of snow , I guess ill be driving my Ford tore ass till then.