99 alero acting up ~sigh~

01silveralero · 03-10-2008, 04:24 PM

well tried to go pay some bills.....i went inside and was literally no more than 3 min inside tried to start the car and wouldn't start. i was like great battery died. got somebody to give me a jumpstart it started 5 seconds after the cables were attached. then i drove it home and the gauges all dropped down to 0 gas was reading empty and so on.i parked it in my driveway just to see if it would start up and nothing. i switched out the battery and now it starts every time in my driveway. the only problem is the battery light wants to stay on.

AGT · 03-10-2008, 05:09 PM

ALTERNATOR

01silveralero · 03-10-2008, 05:16 PM

it never had a problem with the battery charging since i had it though. so why you think alternator?

AGT · 03-10-2008, 05:22 PM

Because alternators wear out. It's a 99 as well. Expect more problems from an older model and finally the battery light stays on; more likely the alternator than the battery. Did you have Autozone do an alternator test yet?

01silveralero · 03-10-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGT

Because alternators wear out. It's a 99 as well. Expect more problems from an older model and finally the battery light stays on; more likely the alternator than the battery. Did you have Autozone do an alternator test yet?

no ill have that done tomorrow.

Spilner521 · 03-10-2008, 06:39 PM

Exact same thing happened to mine a few years ago. It was a bad alternator.

alerojack · 03-10-2008, 07:40 PM

yes sir! alternator. when mine went out i had every gauge going off and had it shifting hard as hell... scared the crap out of me!

AJules · 03-10-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01silveralero

no ill have that done tomorrow.

make sure you have them test it at least twice

when they tested mine the first time, the machine said it was good, with no problems

I had them test it 2 more times and both times the machine said it was bad

sound_xtreme · 03-10-2008, 10:38 PM

theres not even a need for a test. alternator. if the gauges, etc go to 0, move back and forth, or the battery light comes on while the car is running, it's simply the alternator. the you could pratically remove the battery after the car has started and your car would still run and function normally if your alternator is up to par

alerojack · 03-11-2008, 04:59 PM

^ true, a battery is only there to basically start your car. wouldnt recommend trying it though. with our cars who knows what you would end breaking in the end. lol...

lonnie · 03-11-2008, 06:50 PM

I agree with the alternator being the problem, and to add my two cents. I usually test one with a DMM across the terminals while the car is running, and if you read lower then 14 volts then you def have a prob with it.

Redog · 03-11-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sound_xtreme

theres not even a need for a test. alternator. if the gauges, etc go to 0, move back and forth, or the battery light comes on while the car is running, it's simply the alternator. the you could pratically remove the battery after the car has started and your car would still run and function normally if your alternator is up to par

Same thing happened to my car.

$100.99 at Autozone (plus core)

bizarre179 · 03-11-2008, 08:53 PM

Just un hook the battery after its started. It it turns off, your alt. is bad.

Cliff8928 · 03-12-2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizarre179

Just un hook the battery after its started. It it turns off, your alt. is bad.

That's not the best thing to do. It could potentially cause a voltage spike which could damage some electronic components. Just go get it tested, there's plenty of places to get it done for free!

01silveralero · 03-13-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sound_xtreme

theres not even a need for a test. alternator. if the gauges, etc go to 0, move back and forth, or the battery light comes on while the car is running, it's simply the alternator. the you could pratically remove the battery after the car has started and your car would still run and function normally if your alternator is up to par

well thats how i checked it before reading ur post. also for the curious the 3.4 alternator is the same as 2.4. you have to move the wire harness for the ground on the alernator. and also if you dont mind having an extra rib on the alternator. its good way to get around temp. if you are out in the boondocks.

TheEdgeofSanity · 03-13-2008, 03:02 PM

so did you fix it yet?

01silveralero · 03-13-2008, 04:07 PM

of course.........