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Thread: Battery or Alternator?

  1. 08-25-2009, 05:02 PM #1
    neverenough
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    Default Battery or Alternator?

    My car has been sitting for about 3 months. I go out today to take it for a spin and it won't start. So I charge it up, starts right up.

    As I'm driving my radio keeps cutting off when the bass or volume gets high. It also cuts off when in idle if I turn my headlights on.

    Also, after about 30 minutes of driving I park her back at home, turn off the ignition and try to restart and it barely gives any juice to the radio, lights or anything then everything fades... then.... nothing.

    I figure it's gotta be one of the two but I have no clue what each one is responsible for.

    TIA!
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  2. 08-25-2009, 05:16 PM #2
    AnthonyF
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    I believe your battery is shorted and your alt is trying it's hardest to keep it charged.

    Would have been posted in General Tech.

    Take your battery out and get it load tested. If it's fine, then it could be your alt. Fire up your car and check the voltage on the battery terminals.

    -Ant.
    The Carbon Fibered R6
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  3. 08-25-2009, 07:44 PM #3
    D15B
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    i dont know sounds like the alt to me
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  4. 08-25-2009, 07:53 PM #4
    Tech5
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    is the battery new or old?

    what is its condition a bad batterys can cause this also
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  5. 08-25-2009, 08:03 PM #5
    Barefoot
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    Quote Originally Posted by AnthonyF
    I believe your battery is shorted and your alt is trying it's hardest to keep it charged.

    Would have been posted in General Tech.

    Take your battery out and get it load tested. If it's fine, then it could be your alt. Fire up your car and check the voltage on the battery terminals.

    -Ant.
    x2

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  6. 08-25-2009, 08:35 PM #6
    neverenough
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    Thanks everyone! I'll be taking her by Auto Zone tomorrow to get them both tested and replaced.

    Hopefully it's not the alternator.... mucho more money than a battery!
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  7. 08-25-2009, 08:49 PM #7
    joshk5145
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    could also undo one of the battery cables while the car is running and if it cuts off as soon as you pull the cable then odds are your going to be buying an alt
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  8. 08-25-2009, 10:16 PM #8
    neverenough
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    I knew I had heard of something like that. Thx for the tip
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  9. 08-26-2009, 12:28 PM #9
    neverenough
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    ETA: It WAS the battery. New one went in today and she purs like a kitten.
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  10. 08-26-2009, 12:31 PM #10
    Barefoot
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    Quote Originally Posted by neverenough
    ETA: It WAS the battery. New one went in today and she purs like a kitten.
    good

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