Hello All, I tried starting my car yesterday and it wouldn't start. Car battery is 3 years old and i saw green deposits on the top. I tried jump starting the car (connected to the other car for more than 5 to 6 minutes) and still it wouldn't start. Whenever I start my car, the battery red indicator on the dashboard comes on . The indicator was blinking yellow before jump starting, but then the yellow blinking went away after charging for 5 to 6 minutes (during jump start).
Last month, during the oil change, the workshop guy told me that the battery should be changed.
1. Please let me know if the problem is with the battery or alternator or any other part?
2. Should I first change the battery and see if the problem goes away (I think I can do this myself).
3. How much does it cost to change the alternator (or if there is any other broken part)?
4. In this hard economic time, I wouldn't be able to spend a lot of money. Sp please let me know the cheapest place where I could take it to fix it or could I do this myself?
Appreciate your answers!!Alternator or Battery?
Clean up the terminals on the battery cables. Have the battery charged and checked at your mechanics shop. Put the battery back in the car, start it up, then connect a voltage meter to the battery. It should show from 11 to 12 volts before you start it. After you start the car,the voltage meter should show almost 14volts. If it doesn't move after you started it, the alternator needs checking. With the care shut off, the voltage meter should not show any loss of voltage. If it does, you need a new battery.Alternator or Battery?
first thing is clean battery cables
jump start it an ddrive to any parts store or shop ask them to check charging system then you know for sure not reason to replace anything til you know for sure that wil save you money check belt clean cables jump start it then have it check smarter cheaper way than guessing buying what you dont need cost youAlternator or Battery?
if the light is on whin the car is runing its the alterator but if the battery is over 3 years old i would change it tooAlternator or Battery?
Hi: Step 1) take the battery out and have it tested at pep boys or some other car parts place. Most of them will test it for free.
If it fails replace the battery.
if the battery passes the test then it is the alternator.
New battery about 100 bucks
new alternator, not much more, depending on the year, make and model of car.
Very easy to replace either one your self.
russAlternator or Battery?
Disconnect the battery cables and clean them thoroughly. Reconnect them and jump start again if necessary. Drive the car for 20-30 min and see if it will re-start. If it still fails to start then buy a new battery. Always go with the cheapest fixes first.Alternator or Battery?
replace the battery and clean the battery terminals then tell me year,make and model and engine sizeAlternator or Battery?
that green stuff you see on the battery posts? get it off, that,s corrode and the alternator can,t keep your battery charged with that stuff on it. take the terminals off, clean them good and make sure they are tight. by the way after you get them clean put a little bit of grease on them, it will help keep the acid away.Alternator or Battery?
It's definitely your battery. If it doesn't start after jumping then it's gone. Get one at Walmart or Pep Boys or some large store. Use a small 1/2%26quot; socket wrench or open end wrench to undo the cable clamps and just drop the new battery in.
Alternators are pretty expensive, from $200-800.Alternator or Battery?
1. if the battery had corrosion on the terminals, clean the terminals. the most likely cause is the battery.
2 replace the battery always first if it is a dead cell it will cause the alternator to struggle to charge a battery that is completely dead.
3. use a voltage meter and postive lead to the battery pos and neg to the battery neg , if you see 14 volts while the car is running the alternator is charging.
4 alternaotrs are not that hard to change but you may need a hoist.
5. your best bet for economic reasons is to change it yourself and go from there.
