OK so about a month ago my car died. I took the battery out and had it tested because I didnt know how long it was in the car before i bought it.
It was completely shot. So I bought the heavy duty battery for my car because I have a sound system that kind of taxes the energy.

A month later and my car wont do a damn thing. nothing. nada. zip.
It cant be the battery again.. something has to be draining it.. could my alternator be shot?
the car doesnt even try to turn over and none of the electronics even try to come on.

 

Oh another thing I thought fishy. On my voltage meter the car always ran at 14 volts when the car was on.. when i replaced the battery I was lucky if it ever went over 12 and sometimes my sound system would cut off to preserve energy..

Maybe I have a grounding problem with my system? I dunno!

 

I believe to test ur alternator you get the car started, then you take out the positive terminal. If the car shuts down ur alternator is shot, if it stays started its something else. I think...

 

take the alternator out and take it to a shop and have it bench tested, the extra stress fromt eh system may have caused it to die early, how many miles are on it?

 

ok i jumped my car.. as soon as the jumper cables were connected my cars alarm came back on. so i jumped the car and it turned on and was running fine.. even when he turned his car off my car continued running, but as soon as i removed the jumpers from my battery the car died instantly.

 

130k

 

ok heres the next thing. i have 8 dollars before my next paycheck. i pretty much need at home solutions here

 

Couple of things to try:

1 - Find a friend with AAA. Have them get the car towed to a mechanic that can test the alternator
2 - See if an auto parts store (like AutoZone) can loan you one of these

http://www.glassmaster.com/controls/pl2838.htm
3 - See if you can find a mechanic that can come look at it at your house for free. It's not a big deal to test it.

 

= $$$$$$$$$
















j/k good luck

 

silva... i think your best bet is to find someone to give you a ride to work tomorrow and have a mechanic look er over. could be a starter... alternator... who knows.

whatever it is its not a fix by the morning problem

 

yeah I figured as much. Joe is going to give me a lift in the morning.. ill have to do something about getting home.

:sonofabitch:

 

god damn fucking city buses dont even have a location they can drop me off near.

the nearest thing is ill get dropped off in the middle of the ghetto and walk like a mile home.

ATTN: white girl carrying purse. plz mug.

 

schucks can check to see if ur battery/alternator is good/bad for free

 

free but dont get an OE QUALITY alternator.. trust me I work there..

 

:thief:

 

i would mug you even if you werent white.....

money is green babe....

kumar

 

seriously its bad around where i live.. i dont go outside without my dobie.

theres no shucks in jacksonville. and i know its not the battery.. i just bought it.. and if it is, ive got a warranty on it..

brb going to buy a scratch off ticket. hoping for some good karma

 

Sounds like the voltage regulator -- it's built inside the alternator.


If the car is not starting on 12v, but it is starting on 24v, then it's most likely the voltage regulator/alternator.


My friend's ITR had the same symptoms and it was the regulator. Good luck.

 

if its something as simple as the alternator, good. I can replace that bitch myself. i just have to pay for the part.

anything else more complicated like.. the electrical system (which the 3000gt is notorious for having problems with) then its out of my knowledge area and ill have to have it towed and pay for labor

 

When ever problems are electrical, sears and autozone will do free alternator and battery checks. Autozone will charge a battery too. Get your car started and have them diagnose what the problem is. Worse case scenario, you get there turn off your car and can't start it again. If it is not the battery that's the problem, you just take it out, have them charge it and drive back home.

 

You might have a short which is draining the battery.

Some cars will turn off once you unplug the battery EVENTHOUGH the alternator is in good shape. So do not count on that test.

Once I had a 91 VW Jetta, and it had a strange electric problem. The tests reveled that no current was used, but the battery will die in 30~45 days. Alternator was in good shape. Once I parked the car, there was no noice and I could hear vaguely like a short sound from inside the dashboard. So I believe the problem was around there. After 2 batteries and 2 alternators I decided to sell the car. What a pain in the ass was that car. I said to myseld no more VWs for me.

Good luck Silvia.

 

Are the terminals pieces of shit?

 

what a way to start your membership with LOUD words

 

Thanks for reminding me as to why I only lurk these boards and never post:
The insesant need for the members to attempt to be witty by making smart-ass comments about damn near everything.

*back to lurking*

 

So what was the deal?

I had similar symptoms, and it ended up being the alternator.

 

well.. long story short.. mom was supposed to pick me up from work.. FORGOT me.. eventually remembered later in the night.

felt so bad she offered to have my car repaired. had it taken to a place that tows and drops off the car for free. they havent gotten back to me on it yet.

 

alternator. car better.

 

Good to hear.

 

well i think the intent was that randomly calling others' stuff shitty isnt the best ay to start off... lurking is only bad for you

 

 

After reading I knew it was the alternator, but apparently so did everyone else. Rach !

 

I knew it was the alternator the moment i pulled the cables off the battery and the car couldnt hold its own.. and its a brand new fucking battery.

but everything is peachy now..

though i do kind of miss my mom picking me up from work with a drink and a snack like i was little again.