My buddy broke down in PA about 90 miles from his house in NJ..His lights were dimming really bad but the car still runs...My question is, If he bought a NEW battery for his max and drove home with no heat on, no radio, nothin electical on, would he be able to make it home without the car dieing on him ?? Cheaper than a tow... I believe his alternator is shot, and not is battery because the lights were dimming

-matt

 

I'm not sure what the problem is, but I can almost guarantee that putting in a new battery won't carry him 90 miles. When the alternator in my Eclipse went out my NEW battery took me for about 6 miles then the car died. So I'm thinking 90 miles is a bit unlikely.

 

well when ya do get it there, ya kno there was a recall a while back on the alternators right?

 

His is a 95...the newer ones have the racall (98-99) and there recalled for fires

-Matt

 

Sure a new battery will get him home. The car should run on the battery for a good hour or so till it starts to get weak.

Don't use any accessories.

 

I drove without alternator for 50miles, i think he should be ok.
drive daytime, headlights will drain batt really fast.

 

i have a 97 and got the recall notice for the alternator, so cant jus be for 98-99

 

I recently just found out that my mom had originally bought the car in August of 97, not August of 96 (early model 97) like i had originally thought....does anyone have the VIN running or links to what VINS are affected by the altenator recall?

 

Well he tried his luck with his old battery to see if he could make it home and he didnt...stuck out on rt80 in NJ waiting for a tow..oh well..He should have bought a new battery and tried his luck

-matt