I just got off work and took off my t-tops for a nice ride home on a summer night. When I went to start up the car it just clicked really fast and would not turn over. Tried to jump it and came close, but not close enough. Dash lights would dim when I tried cranking the car. I knew something was up when my windows rolled up at a snail's pace when I got to work as compared to the usual turtle's pace they normally roll up at. Looks like I'm out to buy a new alternator tomorrow.

Just thought I'd share.

 

Go to vanborn auto supply they got rebuilt ones for $85. Thats the best price and warranty i found. Steven

 

Sorry man! I hate making that call for a tow truck... Goodluck on the swap

 

how do you know its not the batt. thats bad? whats the voltage gauge say when the eng. is runing and off idle? if its under 12volts above 1000rpm then maybe its the alt. but if you got over 12volts with the rpms up then the alts at least working, but you need a ampmeter to know if there are enough amps available from the alt. to run everything.

chris

 

The car wont start so I dont know what my voltage is at idle or above. The battery runs just fine because my interior lighting is at full and radio works without a problem and it shows symptoms that were the very same as my moms Blazer and my old Grand Am. All the power just gets drained when I try to crank it. We almost got the thing jumped but no go. I'm just going to go replace it anyway. Its 88k old. My moms went at 83k on her Blazer and the second alt. on my old 93 Grand Am went at 165k. Seems logical for a ~80k alternator life span. I'll find out tomorrow though.

 

I would replace both the battery and the alternator just for the sake of reliability. If the battery is more than a few years old it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a new one.

 

Switch batterys with your mothers car and once started see if the alt is charging. If not then you know it is the alt. Or charge the battery and see if it holds a charge. As long as the battery has a charge the engine should run until the battery is drained. Just my .02.

 

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I know its about time the alternator is ready for replacement and I have no clue how old the battery is. For peace of mind I will just replace both and then replace the starter in ther winter. I dont normally like to "fix it if it aint broke" but I'll have a better chance of the car starting for a long time to come lol. Thanks guys.