Alternator/battery---someone ease my mind

[ccso139]

I fired up the car after it had been sitting for a few days and I had all kinds of lights on the display lit up. The battery, radiator, and srs lights were all lit, as well as the cel (I think it is for the o2 sensor). Anyway, I left the house and the lights all went out. Started car after eating and stopped to get gas. Car fired right up every time. Right after leaving the gas station, the radio started going off and coming back on. I turned it off and turned my parking lights off, thinking that my battery/alternator was going bad. Got a little further down the road when the brake, srs, radiator, anti lock and battery lights came on. Car running fine at this point. Came up to a stop sign, pushed in clutch and speedometer went to 0, let clutch out and it went back to speed. Got to stop sign w/in 1 mile of house and car started running like crap. Wouldn't accelerate, spitting and sputtering and back firing. I noticed a black smoke coming out of the tail pipe and limped back home. Got in drive way, turned on headlights and car died and wouldn't crank. Windows raised very slowly, but sunroof would not close. After about 30 minutes, I was able to close sunroof, but car still wouldn't crank.

Sorry that was so long, but now to my question. It is probably just an alternator/battery problem, right? But, more importantly, is my car now f'd up for driving it in the above condition for a mile? Please someone tell me that I didn't destroy my car!!! Thanks, Chris.

 

[1ghaaaaaw]

naw , as long as you didnt push it hard,,, start with getting your alt and batt checked out, and replaced if bad. sounds to me like your alt took a dump tho.

 

[ccso139]

naw , as long as you didnt push it hard,,, start with getting your alt and batt checked out, and replaced if bad. sounds to me like your alt took a dump tho.

I certainly didn't push it hard, I barely limped back into the drive way. Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear!

 

[meliketoball]

Your car would be fine if the alternator went for I had the same problem except I was about 20 miles from home.. Anyway, it sounds like your alternator went out but you need both the alternator and battery to be exceptional. Start with the easiest, check the 100 amp fuse in your in engine bay fuse box then your battery, then the alternator belt then the alternator itself.

Get your battery and alternator test @ autozone for free. Good luck!

 

[turbodsm_125]

your car will be fine. the alternators on dsm seem to always break!!!

 

[ccso139]

your car will be fine. the alternators on dsm seem to always break!!!

Thanks everyone, you have eased my mind. I will tackle a new alternator and battery this weekend.

 

[costas14]

i got a new alternator in my car, and my cars lights all dim when i turn them on, and currently it doesnt crank, unless i hit it with a hammer, or have someone push it and pop the clutch, a dealership around here told me new battery, starter and alternator everytime it happens, and something other then stock wires and plugs, have someone push ## car and let go of teh clutch and hit the gas and the clutch again, must be in first gear, should fire up again if it doesnt crank, its more fun doing it on motorcycles though

 

[ccso139]

i got a new alternator in my car, and my cars lights all dim when i turn them on, and currently it doesnt crank, unless i hit it with a hammer, or have someone push it and pop the clutch, a dealership around here told me new battery, starter and alternator everytime it happens, and something other then stock wires and plugs, have someone push ## car and let go of teh clutch and hit the gas and the clutch again, must be in first gear, should fire up again if it doesnt crank, its more fun doing it on motorcycles though

Been there and done that so many times!!!! Not w/ this car though. It'll also work in reverse too, but I wouldn't try it on a motorcycle!

 

[ob420aboosted]

if your gonna pop it i was always told 2nd gear. ive only done it on a dirtbike never a street bike your nuts

 

[ccso139]

if your gonna pop it i was always told 2nd gear. ive only done it on a dirtbike never a street bike your nuts

2nd gear will work, but, I think it depends on the compression or torque of the engine or something? I have done it in 1st, 2nd, and reverse.... also done it numerous times on street bikes, but you had better hold on tight because you are liable to get one helluva a ride!!! Try it on a CBR 1000 that takes off at full throttle and you are only holding on w/ one hand.... But, I did manage to hang on and keep the bike up too. Felt like a rodeo star at the end of it though.

 

[eclipsegsx1989]

check all of your fuses .. it might be 40 or an 80 amp ..