battery or alternator?

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:08 pm

hey guys

just tonight my car wouldnt hold idle.. would be fine driving along and if i kept revs up but as soon as i let it sit, say at some lights, the head lights would dim and the car would pretty much stall..

so what you think i should check first?

Brad · Postby **Brad** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:12 pm

Alternator. If that's done then the battery won't be getting a charge either so both symptoms will show.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:44 am

irwin83r wrote:so what you think i should check first?

Put a voltmeter on the battery and see if it indicates 12 volts. If 11 or less it's dead and won't start the car. Start car and see if volts increase to 13-14. If no change the alternator (maybe a diode) is dead.

No voltmeter? Go to auto electrician ASAP.

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:11 pm

JBT wrote:
irwin83r wrote:so what you think i should check first?

Put a voltmeter on the battery and see if it indicates 12 volts. If 11 or less it's dead and won't start the car. Start car and see if volts increase to 13-14. If no change the alternator (maybe a diode) is dead.

No voltmeter? Go to auto electrician ASAP.

have a voltmeter so will have a check soon. might leave it till tomorrow.

thanks guys...

heres hopin its just the battery...

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:54 pm

My voltmeter just happens to have a radar detector built in :twisted:

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:20 pm

Okibi wrote:My voltmeter just happens to have a radar detector built in

wtf!? really??

irwin83r · Postby **irwin83r** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:14 pm

well......

turns out \"somebody\" im not saying who :oops:

didnt tighten a hose clamp on the intake tight enuf.. and the pipe/join popped off, so the motor was getting air that had not passed through the AFM..

back on tightly now, all is good