Hey yesterday I was driving and my battery light went on. This morning when i went to start my car it started roughly, then after a minute or so the car konked out. When I jump it the car runs fine, until i take the jump off then it konks out again after a minute or so. Does this sound like i need a new alternator? tahnkss

 

Check to see what voltage you are getting out of the alternator once the car is started...

It sounds like a bad alternator... but it would be worthile doing a little troubleshooting first (voltage test as mentioned, test the voltage across the battery too).

 

sounds like an alternator, i just had to change mine. I also changed my battery at the same time. A couple fuses blew out too, so make sure you check them out.

walshy

 

which fuses?

 

You got an awesome user name ... despite the fact that this is totally irrelevant to 4th Gens.

Everyone knows they are waiting for Season 5 to start up in January. If you don't think he is coming back then you don't know Jack! WOOT!

 

Yeah, that definitely is the alternator, weird thing was that my Brake light lit up when my alternator went bad. But the bad alternator ended up killing my battery so had to do a double replacement.

 

thats exactly what happened to me so i had to change both, umm..fuse wise i had to replace my ABS fuse and also the fuse for the power windows/sunroof.
i think i paid like 430 bucks for a battery and alternator plus install, if I didnt have to drive it the next day i would of done it myself!, sucks.

walshy

 

why would you need to get a new battery when your alternator dies? When my alternator died I drained my battery and blew the battery fuseable link. When I got a new alternator put in I just charged hte battery over night and its been fine ever since.

Anyways, yes your alternator is bad. When you have it replaced, also replace the 120 amp battery fuseable link in the fuse box under the hood. it is also normal for your brake or ABS lights to come on when alt dies.

 

yeah the brake light did come on too ... thanks alot for your help guys... by the way how much did you pay for the alternator, and is it easy to replace yourself?

 

I bought a used alternator with 15k miles off a local .org member for I think about $60 I think, cant remember. Then I had it installed for $40, I think by my friend/mechanic.