yesturday while driving on the NJTP my car crapped out of electricity. stereo went dead first then lights dimed and then eventually the ECU turned off anf i was stranded. my friend jump started my car and I was able to drive 10 miles until the battery went dead again! for the past months my belt squeeked went I started up the car, so i tightened them and it stopped, shortly after the belt squeeked again. Do i need a new alternator or is the belt not turning it properly. isn't the alternator supposed to give a warning before it dies or is it supposed to drop dead one day randomly.

 

I had the same thing happened to me, and it was the alternator. It was making a constant sound though and eventually it smelled like a burning plastic. My belts also squick, but it has nothing to do with it.

 

The belts would have to really loose no to turn the alternator at all. How tight did you make them?

Don't but cheep belts they will squeek.

Go with OE or Bando

 

It is, most likely, your alternator. If it was a belt problem you would definatly know.

 

do a quick test with a volt meter. Just start up your car and put both leads on the battery terminals and read the voltage. then start your car and do the same, It should read about 14 volts. if it is the same number you had with the car, off its your alternator. One quick tip charge your battery before you start your car with your new alternator, or youll melt it.