Weird Symptom: Battery or Alternator

[freshlane]

I was driving yesterday and my car accesories started acting wierd. Light became dim, radio was very distorted, etc. I tried to crank it up and it wouldn't turn over...so I went home and got my jump starter and it started up once I jumped it. I disconnected the jump starter and it kept running until I turned on my headlights...then it sputtered and died again. This happened like 5 times. This morning I used the bootleg method of checking my alternator. I jump started the car and disconnected the neg (-) battery terminal and the car kept running until I turned on my headlights, then it would sputter and turn off. So, the alternator is working somewhat I think. The belt to it is nice and tight also. Is this a symptom of a bad battery? Not holding charge?

 

[cumpersgsx]

I think its your alternator. I need to replace mine right now as well. Our alternators are supposed to put out 75 amps. I only had 4(according to the guy at autozone) and all my acessories worked fine but my lights dimmed when i roll up my windows.

 

[jongreene]

Go have it tested....sounds like battery but a test will be more help than guessing.

 

[want_a_gsx]

i would say the alternator is shot, which is making the battery power the car by itself. happened to me before and needed to get a new alternator and battery

 

[freshlane]

I went to my friendly neighboorhood Autozone and they tested the battery. The battery was good so I will just buy a alternator. Thank you to everyone that helped

 

[cumpersgsx]

autozone can test your alternator too...while its on the car and everything.

 

[freshlane]

should I risk driving it there? it is about 1mi away.

 

[want_a_gsx]

yeah, 1-3 miles shouldnt be a problem. i drove my car with a dead alternator for a week i think it was, so like 40-50 miles.

i suggest you jump the battery so its running "well" and going from there. or just to make sure you're not stranded though, you could buy a new battery. its up to you

 

[cumpersgsx]

ya i was driving on mine fore a while to...i got to the point i was going to have to start jumping it everytime...now its just sitting

 

[Eric_7810]

make sure you jump your car for a while, just because you can start it doesnt mean its good, let it set there for a while and youll be good for a while. I had a logger when I had to do it so I had a nice gauge, but yeah... defintely sounds like my story when my alternator quit. replace that, youll be golden

 

[freshlane]

I have a logger also....like an idiot i never thought of using it. Also, today I got the alternator checked and it failed, 3 times, just to be sure. I won a bid on ebay for a new one for $67 bucks which isn't bad. I could had saved money thought because Autozone give you $55 for the core and the new one is $109.