Car dead - Altenator?????

[K8JWT]

This evening my car died on me and here are the symptoms.

 

Noticed this evening that when I turned on the turn signal the dash lights dimmed in sequence with the flashers operation.

 

I was going to pickup a pizza and the seemed OK except for the first problem, after getting the pizza and went to start the car and it was dead meaning no electrical power anywhere. Not even dome lights, key dinger, 4-ways or anything. Went to call my wife to come get me, when I got back to the car (less than 5 minutes) it started right up. Started to drive home and it died while in motion just the same as when I tried to start it.

At this point I called AAA and had it brought to my house.

 

Sounds like altenator to me..what do you think???

[skiiirt]

Check the battery for loose connections?

[blackbombshell95]

that and probably ur battery.

[1990lumina]

Sounds like the alternator to me. Charge up the battery first with a trickel charger. Then make sure it is still holding a good charge. Start the car up (it should start with the charged battery, if not check the cables and/or battery)...use a voltimeter to see what the alternator is putting out. Should be 14.4 or at least 14 volts. If not, then it should be replaced. If it is putting out 14 volts, turn all the acessories on. There should be a slight drop and then quickly go back up to 14 volts at least.

 

IF not, replace the alternator. When mine died, I had the same problems as you....dimming dash lights, dimming dash lights with the signals, speedo would go up and down with the signals, etc.

 

- Jeff L.