Car died on my way home today!

[Mulletbob]

Alright, not sure if this needs to be in Electrical or not, but I would guess so. I'm guessing Battery/Alternator, but I'm not sure, tell me what you think.

So...I'm on my way home today, my car has been working fine since I got it in Feb. and all of a sudden, my stereo stops working, it just shuts off. So I'm like, ahh...gay, well, maybe it's just worn out, so I might need to buy a new one, no big deal...well, then the engine starts hesitating, almost like bogging down, I'm revving it a little and the RPMS keep dropping (because I was going like 25 when this started, and my RPMS were at about 2,000), so basically, my accelerator wasn't working. So they drop somewhere between 750 and 1,000(normal idle) and then it's just idling, even when I gas it, nothing happens. Then, it starts to die, almost like it's out of gas (tank is full). So I shut it off, and go to start it back up, and nothing happens, no turnover, nothing. So I wait like 2 minutes, and try to crank it again, and it makes a very slow, crank, just one, then it stops. So I wait a few more minutes, and crank it, it starts up fine. So then I drive about like 1/4 mile, maybe a little more, and it starts doing it again, I didn't have the stereo on this time, but the engine thing was the same. So, I wait a few more minutes, and it starts fine, goes about another 1/4 mile, and does it again. This time, it doesn't work, at all...after I wait like 10 minutes, still nothing.

So...I'm wondering, has this ever happened to anyone?

What should I check first, Alternator?

I'm going to test my battery at work tomorrow and I'll let you know what that turns up.

Thanks for your time, and any help is much appreciated.

[Manarius]

Fuel pump b0rked?

[Mulletbob]

The fuel pump wouldn't cause it to not turn over though. Today I checked the battery, it's at about 11.5, and drops to about 9.5 on a load, so it's not horrible, but it could probably use replacing. When I got home, I dropped it back in, and started it up, and un-hooked the positive cable and it died. That would indicate the Alternator, yes?

Thanks, for your help.

[Saskatoon Subaru]

where you dash lights on at anything like the oil, engine, alt, emerg brake and etc lights all on, cause a month ago mine did almost same thing, but dash light came on first ran for about a day no problems, then the sterio cut in and out, then it just died. im my case it was the altanator. I'd say go get that checked, it an't hard to take out so give that a try.

[Richard]

Bad alternator causes bad batteries. Get them both looked at. Most parts stores can do it, usually for free. If so, build and install the ground mod to help the new stuff out too.

[soloracer]

I had badd connections at the battery terminal ends causing similar problems, both pos and neg were looser than they should be. Replaced the terminal ends, battery started actually getting charged properly, radio didn't cut out, seatbelts move faster etc. Even if your battery or alternator turn out to be bad make certain all your connections are solid.

[Saskatoon Subaru]

i just replaced the stock batt conections on mine yesterday with brass once, there solid now

[scuzzy]

The fuel pump wouldn't cause it to not turn over though. Today I checked the battery, it's at about 11.5, and drops to about 9.5 on a load, so it's not horrible, but it could probably use replacing. When I got home, I dropped it back in, and started it up, and un-hooked the positive cable and it died. That would indicate the Alternator, yes?

Thanks, for your help.

Don't do that.


Seriously. disconnecting a major load on the Alternator circuit can cause a spike of voltage on the positives, frying EVERYTHING.

[Mulletbob]

It was the Alternator, I took it in to Schucks and they tested it for me, so I put a new on in, and I'm back on the road, with my wallet $130 lighter!

Thanks for the help.

[Saskatoon Subaru]

costed me the same amount the other month