hey guys, i think my alternator is going, because sometimes my windows and sunroof stop going up whenever i want to put them up and my neon lights shut off... but then i rev up my engine and they go up and the neons turn back on. but recently i started my car up, and drove it around. the engine temperature gauge was on "c" obviously for cold... but i noticed the car was shifting like crap, its an auto and i recently changed the oil using synthetic oil. i checked the oil level and its fine. but then the car stalled out on me. numerous times, and it kept shaking like crazy and jerking forward. the car runs fine if the temp gauge is in the middle though... so i just let it warm up for 15 min whenever i drive. i have no clue what the problem could be... if anybody could give me a clue it would be most appreciated.
thanx

 

and also... the car was idling abnormal and very inconsistent... which is why it stalled out, because it was idling so low... but i have no idea why it would idle so low

 

If the alternator is going, the car won't run good at all. Are your stereo and interior lights going out also? When things get really bad with the alternator, the interior will start acting like its possessed.

 

okay first things first. go to menards/sears/autozone, whatever place is closer, pick up a multi meter. and check the voltage of your battery. should be around 12.x and start up the car, and check the voltage of your battery now. should be 14.x if it isnt then your alternator is bad.

Signs of a bad alternator.
1) Battery Light On
2) Parking Brake Lite is On
3) CEL is On
4) ABS Light is on

the last 2 are a hit and miss sort of thing. your abs need power to work, so when your alternator is no longer charging your battery, expect the last 2 to happen.

 

i had just replaced my belts and alternator. I didnt get any of those signs, but I will tell you what I did hear. Since I have no more head unit in my car (because the screen went blank now kenwood CORP has it and is repairing it.) I can closely listen to my engine at night. If i have my headlights and foglights on at the same time i would have a high pitch squeeling noise. When i turn off my lights it would go away. Also I noticed my idle a bit jumpy. It would move up and down ever soo slightly to the point you really got to look at it to notice it. If i rolled up the windows, turned on my lights, had my foot on the brake, this noise will show up. Since i replaced my alternator and belts the noise is gone. So a better way to tell is by turning off your radio and just listen in to the noise.