HELP... Car was DEAD

by **xsolara33x** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:41 am

Hey guys,
Well, my gf and I and our couple buddies went to watch a movie, my car started fine and everything at my friends house when we left for the movies, but when we were heading home my car wouldnt start... When I would turn my key to just the on position my dash lights came up but when I put I turned my ignition on the dash lights were off... So Im thinking it was my battery, I have a RED TOP Battery that is about a year and half two years oldand also a system with no capacitor... We had one of our friends come and try to jump the car, he has a miata by the way... when I tried to start my car, there was a clicking sound, but would not start... We finally had my other friend with an MR2 come by and try to help us out, he has a DIE HARD battery if it makes any difference... The first time I tried to start my car, it didnt work, but when he was reving his car my car FINALLY started... We just drove it to my gf house cuz i didnt want to drive it 60 miles away to my hosue... My lights were dimming the whole time we were driving... Also, when we got home I tried to start my car and it is COMPLETELY DEAD... My question is, could it be my battery??? or alternator???? someone please help... my car wont start... i will get my battery checked later today at autozone or something... if neone has any advise please help me out...
thanks much,
raphael

by **Whatever** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:31 am

I had similar stuff happened to me before I think it's the battery

by **Mole** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:32 am

sounds like alternator.

however if you were able to make it to your gf's house, it could be the battery.

by **captainpimp** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:41 am

i would think if your alternator was working, your lights wouldnt of dimmed.
it would be possible to recharge the battery enough and run solely off battery power for a limited time. however, once the alternator is running, and assuming it's working, you have all the electricity you would need and it would start recharging the battery.
i bet your alternator failed and therefore you were using batt power which caused it to drain down. once you shut it off, it didnt have enough charge to restart. how long did you leave the jumper cables connected for? did the lights dim when you demanded more electric from the car; ie turn signals, radio, etc?

http://members.cardomain.com/djsaltine · by **djsaltine** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:56 am

dang sorry to hear that. 60 miles to your house, isn't there a closer movie theater? j/k good luck.

by **PDX SuperSolara** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 9:56 am

Check connections to the battery and the ground to the chassis and transmission, motor. You didn't mention the battery light on the dash coming on while driving, so I assume it did not. A bad alternator would turn this light on indicating the battery being discharged instead of charged during running. If all battery and ground connections are OK, it is likely the battery, especially if it is 5 years or more old or has been highly discharged any number of times.

by **TRDmonkey** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:09 am

Mole wrote:sounds like alternator..

agreed

by **xsolara33x** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:19 am

the lights were dimming when i was locking the door and putting my windows up... is it hard to change the alternator, i don't want to get it towed to a shop and stuff... i got the chilton manual to help me... is it hard to replace it??? should i get the oem one or can i just get one from kragen, autozone, or pepboys???
thanks,
raphael

by **DatSRBoi** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:26 am

One way to know if its the alternator..Start up the car. Then Disconnect the battery and turn everything on like lights, radio, etc. Check for dims then. If engine still run, Alternator is ok.

Edit by Yanks0114: Refer to PDX SuperSolara post before trying this

by **99SEAUTO** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:30 am

had similar problem=Battery

by **PDX SuperSolara** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:50 am

DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WITH THE CAR RUNNING! THIS CAN RUIN THE ALTERNATOR! The battery acts as a filter and if the alternator has no resistence it goes to max output with no battery load. Use a voltmeter between the posts to see that the alternator is working. S/B 12.5 to 14.5 volts depending on accessory load. I have seen numerous alternators blown and other electronics screwed with removing the battery from the circuit. Do not do that.

by **xsolara33x** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 11:18 am

^^^ I am getting my alternator replaced for $312 at my family friend shop... should I change the battery afterwards???
thanks,
raphael

Website · by **Turbosolara** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 6:50 pm

agree, test out the battery first. for me it sounds like the battery is not holding charge. but you should try the cheapest and easist fix first.

by **Jai_Jai_Binks** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 2:12 pm

if you don't have pepboys, go to autozone, they can also charge it. Once my lights were dimming on the celica, when i revved up, the lights were brighter...I was like 60 miles away from home and assumed i could make it....Nevertheless a mile away from home....my car died...The alternator was gone...it has wiped out the battery too (i had to get both replaced). I'm guessing you got lucky you didn't breakdown or something..

HELP... Car was DEAD

HELP... Car was DEAD

Battery

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