Stewie

This weekend I took my 98 CL 3.0 out and I noticed the red alternator light was on, so I turned around and went home and took my other car (04 TL).

When the rain finally stopped I took a look under the hood to see if something was wrong with the belt.

Everything seemed ok so I fear its the alternator.

Question is, can I make it to the dealer about 10 miles (maybe less) away or should I have it towed? I could drive as far as I can and when it craps out call AAA and hope I'm within their 5 mile limit!

So how far can I go?

Thanks!

shineynitelite

why take it to the stealership, do it yourself it wont take long


drive it to an auto parts store and have them check the battery first though, they should do it for free



you could drive as far as you want, as long as you dont turn off the car

ninjaturtle420

alternator light?

shineynitelite

battery smae difference

ItsDave

well if its the batt, then once your car is on it runs off the alternator...so as long as the car is on youll be fine. if its a bad alternator you car could just die at any time.

Stewie

Yeah its the red battery light.
Normally when I've had a dead battery it just won't start, I buy a new one and everything is fine.
But in the case the car starts no problem.
So you all think the battery just might be weak and not able to hold a significant enough charge to keep the light from going on?

I've also had a battery with a short in it and that was weird. Car (not this one) was like a year old, stopped to pick up a coffee on my way to work and when I came out the car wouldn't start. Turns out the battery had a short in it and it was covered under warranty.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

You aren't gonna get far with it

wilp99

car wont run long with a dead alternator.. just as far as the battery will carry you. maybee if you turn off all lights, and radio.. you might make it.. but you prolly wont. not worth the risk.. if your bound on havin a dealership do your work have it towed. if it starts fine with the light on the battery is still good. also if you try to drive it and kill the battery totally dead youll prolly need a new battery. with that known, if you dont drive it and have it towed, dont let the dealership try to tell you the battery is dead too, and charge you for a new one. sorry pimp..

ajtcl

Just make sure all of the accessories are off...

Just curious, when you rev the engine, does the light fade out, and come back when the rpms drop. If so, definately the alternator. They are not expensive, and when it is done, your car will be fine again. Been there done that. Good luck.

kamdawg

yeah. well i did not have any notice my alternator was going bad. everything seemed fine until my car basically died on me while i was getting on the freeway. i had to get a new alternator and a new battery. so dont wait, and have it checked out

saiko_cl_duck

have the battery checked at autozone, advance etc...if that's good, buy the alternator while you're there, and change it yourself.

Stewie

I put a charger on it overnight and then drove it to the dealer.
I made it about 10 miles, but didn't use any accessories.

Turns out it was the alternator, $389. Could have been worse.

I tried revving the engine but it didn't seem to help.
The alternator was made by Delphi, which explains everything!

lebleucl

I had problems recently with my alternator and the car drove fine as long as my batt was charged, i.e. bring a friend. I ended up pulling out the alternator in my driveway and getting it rebuilt for $45. It took be 20-30mins to take it out, 4 hours to get a call from the shop, and 20mins to install it again. I do have a yellow top, but my sound system hasn't influenced the rebuilt alternator and the "alternator guys" suggested I didn't need to buy a new or beefed up alternator from them...so to make a long story short: It is probably you alternator and DO IT YOURSELF.