jsmooney

car didnt start this morning, but it started right up when i got home. i drove it around the block, then came back. turned it off, then turned it back on. this time, it clicked like something ate up ALL the power and VERY VERY dim brake lights, etc on dash, and VERY VERY dim lights on the climate control. i can turn the radio on for about 1 second then it just run outta power. i am taking the car to autozone so that they can test the electrical system. I just got a new battery, could it possibly be bad?

yohan420

^^ Contrary to popular beleif ... On our cars the power requirement to keep them running is greater than the altenator can put out alone ... so if your altenator is dead .... your car will eat the battery while its running.

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jsmooney

its the......dum dum dum...you guessed it

THE ALTERNATOR

now the cheapest one advance has is 178.89 with trade in. damn, i gotta find some money now....

U.K VTEC

It's more likely to be the alternator, if it's on it's last legs it can't give the battery enough juice this time of year. For instance, this morning I got in the car to go to work and had the lights on, the heater on, the heated rear window on, the stereo on and the wipers on. That is a big drain on the battery and if the alternator can't keep up, you'll get the problems you've been experiencing.

Any decent mechanic/shop should be able to check both the alternator and battery for you to see if they are working properly.

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Garry

jsmooney

autozone checked it....

U.K VTEC

Well, if you got a new battery, they very rarely are faulty when new. As you say, it's the alternator at fault. They aren't cheap, esp. from an H dealer!! It's one of those times when you've just got to swallow the cost I'm afraid.

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Garry

jsmooney

im getting one from a place over here called "Advance Auto Parts"

http://www.advanceautoparts.com/index.html

180$ plus tax with trade-in and lifetime warranty