the other day when I turned the key to start the Z, it did nothing. It took me about 4 or 5 cycles from start to off for the starter to engage. I figured becasue it was such a cold night and the motor was so cold, the starter just had a hard time turning over the motor. The first thing I looked at was the voltage meter and it was fine and seemed fine for the past few days. Now this morning, it started right up but 5 minutes later, coming to a stop, I feel a slight shutter. "Check Gauges" light comes on and I notice wipers going very slow. Voltage meter way down, bring the car home figuring frigid night, I would let the car run for a while to let the alternator charge the battery. Went back out the voltage meter was basically at 0. I don't have the tools to check the alternator. So with the info given of a sudden dead battery over night with nothing left on do you think it's the alternator or the battery? If in need of an alternator and or battery, whats the best low budget amp to go with, extremely tight budget.

P.S. Belt has been squealing for about 6 weeks now, didn't have the money to replace yet, so I hit it with some WD40 to stop the squealing. Could this have something to do with my issue?
Thanks for all your help, you guys are great hope to hear from someone soon.

 

To me the possibility is the belt should have been replaced because it was slipping (squealing). And in my somewhat educated guess the alternator isnt turning fast enough to actually charge the battery. But like i said thats a guess.

Best way to get it checked is gonna be to jump it, if it wont start on its own. Leave it running and have the parts store test the alternator and battery. If they check out then my guess is its that belt.

For future reference dont ever try to cover up a problem or rig it. Sometimes it can end up costing you more money in the long run. Thats the best answer I have man, but theres a lot of smart people on the forum who will follow im sure.

 

I would try to jump start it if you can. While running you can put a volt meter across the battery and it should read +/- 14 volts DC. If anything less than that, the alternator isn't charging. It could be the slipping belt. I'd replace the belt and do the same check. With a new belt and still no 14 VDC it's either a bad alternator or connection.