Yesterday while buying pool supplies, my gf's pt cruiser died and I had to go pick her up and get her car towed to a shop. Later on the same day I figured I'd go pick up some additional pool supplies only to find my car wouldn't start either.

So this morning I got a jump start and the car started up just fine, but after turning the car off, it would not start back up again. I figured it was the battery so I took a taxi to an autoparts store and decided to have my battery tested. Problem was, it was going to take an hour to test the battery, and I'd have to take a cab back to the parts store later, so I said F**k it and bought the new battery while I was already there to save my self from having to call a taxi again later. Anyways when I got home I installed the new battery and the car started right up, however, after driving the car for a little while I noticed all my dash lights going haywire and the power fluctuating. After returning home from running some errands, I turned the car off again, and upon trying to start the car up again I found the new battery to be dead also.

Im trying to figure out if this is an alternator problem or something else causing the issue. It seemed to be fine when I stepped on the gas, but when I'd stop at a light the warning lights would go haywire. Not sure what to do.

 

I guess I should make it clear that i'm not sure if the battery is dead, what I do know is that the car wont start, even with a brand new battery.

 

do you get dash lights with key on?
does it click or try to start at all?

a new battery is not fully charged- if the alternator is not working to fill it with juice, it will run out quickly driving in town
step on the brakes and thats the last bit of power suck the system can take
below 1500 rpm even a good alternator isnt putting out much- has to be moving to make power to run all the systems in the car

you are supposed to bring the car back to the parts store for a free test

 

yes i get dash lights when key is in and it clicks, seems like its tryin to start.

hmmm sounds like the alternator, just dont want to make a $230 mistake, know what I mean.

what about these brushes I have read about in the alternator that can be replace, is this a possible fix?

 

Jump start the car and check the voltage with a volt meter if you have one. kinda does sound like a alt. Or take teh alt off and bring it to a auto parts store, they will test it and tell you.

 

Are your cables connections clean & tight, both ends?

 

If you have more than 130k miles on the car,
I would suspect your starter motor already needs replacement. Remove & bring it to a starter specialist to have it inspected as the brushes might be already worn.
If so, just replace the whole starter...should solve the problem. Let us know the status.

 

ended up being the alternator, while the car was in the shop I had upper ball joints replaced and tie rods, and exhaust fixed. car runs great now, like a champ, but all of a sudden the check engine light came on, wtf? im out of money

 

Is there a way to chk if the alternator is working well while installed on the car and/or running?
Thanks for any help.

 

Yes!
12-14 volts is okay.
Take the car to a store that sells battery.
They always test the alt before selling a battery, and issuing a warranty.