DU mechanics... A question....

[aQuArius]

My car (last Friday after work) acted like the battery was dead. I put the key in the ignition and all the lights and bells came on like normal (for a half second) then CLICK everything went dead and NOTHING worked. Tried to start it several times and NOTHING happened. I got someone to come out and give my battery a jump and it started right up and I drove it all weekend just fine, no problems.... until tonight. I stopped at my apartment mailbox and got out of the car for less then a minute and got back in to start it and all the lights and bells came on (for a half second) then CLICK .... you know the rest. The alternator is brand new, the battery has no corrosion, any ideas what is happening here??? Any suggestions welcome! Please be gentle though, I'm a little stressed out and know very little about cars. I have a ride to and from work tomorrow, that's most important for now. THANKS

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. If lights and bells came on....

your battery wasn't dead.

Other than that, I have no clue.

Good luck.

[NV Whino]

Still sounds like an alternator problem

Take it back to your mechanic.

[democracyindanger]

6. yeah

if you already took it to a mechanic and they sold you a new alternator to fix the problem, they clearly didn't fix the problem. And do you have the previous alternator? Always get the old parts when a garage replaces them, if you can.

[aQuArius]

12. its a lifetime warranty alternator...

I bought the orginal alternator with warranty in 2001 and have had to replace it every year (for free each time). When the alternator is about to go out, the battery light comes on and I have time to fix it. This is just suddenly dead.

[Sporadicus]

2. Have the Starter Solenoid Checked

With any luck it may be only a loose wire on the starter solenoid (the 'bendix' to us old-timers). If the starter solenoid is bad, it will require a new starter as well, since they're now integral. Don't know what kind of car you have, but I wouldn't expect a rebuilt one to cost more than $80 or so (counting trading in your old one).

[Mika]

3. CLEAN AND TIGHTEN YOUR BATTERY TERMINALS AND CONNECTORS

Your terminal connectors could be loose, and/or corroded. Try to wiggle them to see if either one or both are loose (do it one at a time).

It sounds like it could be the case.

I've had it happen to me.

[MikeStl]

4. could still be a battery

The battery may not be able to hold a proper charge. Even if it looks fine and clean. And if you got a good alternator then it may be giving it that kick it needs to keep going for a while before giving out again. I'd drop by the local auto parts store and see if they can test it on your car. Also does your car have side battery posts (vs the ones that are up on the top of the battery)? If so I'd try unscrewing them and checking for corrosion...it can hide in between the terminal and the battery lug without looking bad at all from the outside.

[aQuArius]

8. battery posts are on top

the guy who jumped my car on Friday checked them and the connections and all seemed fine to him. I suppose I'll get it jumped tomorrow and take it somewhere. I just have no idea where to take it, a Mechanic or a parts store?

[MidwestMomma]

15. If you don't think you can replace the battery yourself

Go to an auto parts store that installs batteries. Not sure what you would have in your area. Someplace like Advance Auto or Pep Boys or Western Auto. They'll bring a tester out to your car and test your battery and then sell you a new one and install it.

I'm so cheap though that I can't stand to pay someone to install a battery so I usually do it myself. The only car that ever defeated me on installing a battery was my Buick Skylark. :)

I agree it could still be you battery. My car did the same thing. It would run for awhile after I jumped it but then not start. Good luck. Cars are such a pain sometimes.

[really-looney]

9. I'm with Mike

The cheap fix is to get a new battery. Easy to install and you will most likely be on your way.

[Bok_Tukalo]

5. It's always the fucking car that reminds you just how vulnerable you are

<eom>

[aQuArius]

10. Didn't I tell you about this last night??? LOL

GAWD, I should just learn my lesson about saying that things are getting better, lol. Sorry, I'm trying to keep from crying right now.

[Bok_Tukalo]

13. Yes. At the time, you seemed to think the trouble had passed

Life just isn't that simple. Especially cars. Things don't fix themselves.

[HamstersFromHell]

7. Check the battery terminals again...

sounds like it's a bad connection, which doesn't always show up as corrosion. Remove the terminal(s) (always remove negative first, and replace last) and check for corrosion inside that won't show up with a cursory external inspection. If it's not shiny inside, clean it up with steel wool - or in the case of top post terminals, with a knife to scrape the insides of the clamps and the posts. Reinstall 'em and tighten securely.

One other thing - GM cars are particularly prone to this one - you say the alternator was replaced. Was the belt at the same time? New belts need to be retensioned after about 15-30 minutes of run-in. Likewise if the old belt was re-used it may have not been properly tensioned when the alternator was replaced. A slightly loose alternator belt will allow enough slippage that the battery isn't fully charged...enough that it'll start normally then suddenly refuse with *any* small drain on the battery, like as little as a dome light running for a minute while you get in the car.

Hope this helps!

[Trillo]

11. Sounds like a bad battery cable connection or perhaps ground.

Sometimes old wires have high resistance.

A 'correct for your year model' wiring diagram is really useful in a case such as this. With them you can find where the rest of the electrical system splits off the battery connections, and where all the grounds are 'supposed' to be located, as well as fusible links, etc.

Won't be able to help you further online here.

Hope you find your problem, intermittent issues are nightmarish. Good luck.

[shawcomm]

14. Check battery terminals and cables.

Sometimes, too, there can be corrosion inside the cable jackets. The way it's acting though sounds like a loose terminal connection.