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H4ck3d4l1f3
02-15-2009, 07:27 PM
I think my alternator may be out? I go to start my car this morning and actually before i put my key in the ignition i turn on my lights and immdiatly everything shuts off. I try jumping it but still nothing works, even my clock and my dome light are off. 15 minutes later i come back out side and my clock and my dome light is on so i try turning the lights on and the same thing happens, everything shuts off again. It doens't seem like the battery is taking a charge too well either.

Sound like a battery? Alternator? Some kind of fuse?

Thanks a lot.
Mangudai
02-15-2009, 07:37 PM
Oh I see, nvm
Big Mikey
02-15-2009, 07:38 PM
check ur battery cable. happened to me. it was loose
PHeller
02-15-2009, 07:42 PM
Do the ol'multimeter test.

Easiest I found was to get a buddy, stick the multimeter on there for DC Volts, and you should get at or around 12 volts coming from the battery without the car running.

Have your buddy start the car, and watch the volts when he starts it. Should go up to around 14.5, maybe a little lower.

Without anything turned on, he should rev the engine to around 2000rpm steady, and the volts should stay or around 14.5, maybe go up a little, no big deal.

Then pay attention as he switches on the headlights, HVAC fan, radio, etc.

If your voltage decreases at idle while that stuff is on, and drops below 12 volts, then your alternator likely isn't charging, and your sucking the battery dry.

An easier way of doing this is simply getting your charging system tested at a shop or store.
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-15-2009, 07:44 PM
Do the ol'multimeter test.

Easiest I found was to get a buddy, stick the multimeter on there for DC Volts, and you should get at or around 12 volts coming from the battery without the car running.

Have your buddy start the car, and watch the volts when he starts it. Should go up to around 14.5, maybe a little lower.

Without anything turned on, he should rev the engine to around 2000rpm steady, and the volts should stay or around 14.5, maybe go up a little, no big deal.

Then pay attention as he switches on the headlights, HVAC fan, radio, etc.

If your voltage decreases at idle while that stuff is on, and drops below 12 volts, then your alternator likely isn't charging, and your sucking the battery dry.

An easier way of doing this is simply getting your charging system tested at a shop or store.


that might work if i could only start my car...
wangan_cruiser
02-15-2009, 08:15 PM
that might work if i could only start my car...



then do what he just told u wat to do. common sense. u cant guess which one is wrong. gotta find it. not being an ass but he already told u what to do all you need to do is do it. and i second what he said.
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-15-2009, 08:34 PM
Yeah I don't think you understand really.. My car won't start.. At all..
BoostedCoupe
02-15-2009, 08:38 PM
its the battery. Get it tested befor you buy a new one. But mine would do the same thing yours does. Turn the key everything goes off. sometimes it would crank but others it wouldnt. If i jumped it off it would crank right up. but yeah change your battery or atleast get it tested.
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-15-2009, 09:18 PM
okay so i just tested it and it metered 12-13amps...

loose connection?
BoostedCoupe
02-15-2009, 09:42 PM
have you tightned the terminals?
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-15-2009, 10:00 PM
have you tightned the terminals?


yup I cleaned them too.
ReDs13SiLvIa
02-15-2009, 10:14 PM
Start the car,pull the positive plug off the battery,if it's still running,your alternator is a-ok.clean the terminals.make sure the battery isn't too old.when was your last tune up?...check the ground cable...good luck...=o
projectRDM
02-15-2009, 10:36 PM
okay so i just tested it and it metered 12-13amps...

loose connection?

12-13 amps? Battery is total shit.
brian3676
02-16-2009, 09:22 AM
jeff call me or text i can stop over on my way home from work and ill fix it
YellowFox
02-16-2009, 09:44 AM
Sounds like the battery isnt holding its charge. Get a new one!
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-16-2009, 07:03 PM
So new thing,

My clock will stay on until anything else is turned on.

For example, my clock will be on, i try and turn on my lights and everything turns off. I push my horn and everything turns off..
BoostedCoupe
02-16-2009, 07:41 PM
So new thing,

My clock will stay on until anything else is turned on.

For example, my clock will be on, i try and turn on my lights and everything turns off. I push my horn and everything turns off..
CHANGE THE BATTERY!!!!! the same thing happened to me.
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-16-2009, 10:57 PM
CHANGE THE BATTERY!!!!! the same thing happened to me.


But did you test your battery? What did it meter at?
ChiSleepyEyes
02-17-2009, 12:07 AM
its a batt prob, ur car needs the proper cranking amps and voltage to start...if it wont even start, its a battery, plain and simple...
9s13Coupe3SX
02-17-2009, 12:16 AM
take it to autozone to get tested. If it fails, get a new one there since your already there.
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-17-2009, 01:19 PM
I've tried jumping my car a bunch of times though.. Could it still be the battery?
H4ck3d4l1f3
02-17-2009, 07:32 PM
Got It!!

Today I was rechecking all my grounds and the ground that the negative battery terminal is connected too looked like it was grounded to paint not bare metal so i took and off and sanded it down and sure enough.

Don't really know why the problem just started now but at this point I don't really care i'm just glad its gone.

Thanks a lot for all your help guys.