Hey guys

Got a 2000 SE with 154k on it and I'm having some issues.

Last night I idled the car for about 40minutes without realizing it, and drove it home and didn't notice anything strange.

Today I start up the car and notice that the idle noise sounds strange, like there's a high pitched humming sound added to the usual engine noise. I drove it for 10 minutes (drove fine), brought it home and turned it off and started again to make sure it was alright.

It started up pretty weak and the humming noise was worse, plus the seatbelt, ABS, and battery lights were flashing while I drove it around the block. Interior dash lights seemed dim. No check engine light.

I tried to start it again and it wouldn't even turn over and failed...

The worst part about this is that I was driving to the bank to take out cash after I just bought an SRS catback exhaust, now I've gotta deal with this.

What am I looking at, an alternator or a battery issue?

Please help me out guys

 

Check and make sure the belt is on the alternator. Sound like it is not charging. Where is the humming noise coming from?

 

Also, I noticed that the brake pedal is extremely stiff and barely moves at all before starting up the car, and then it eases back once the engine starts. This started happening yesterday

 

alternator.

your brake pedal should be stiff when car is off. The system hasn't yet started the hydraulics.

 

I'm not sure where the humming is coming from, the engine obviously, but it's pretty loud and noticeable in the cabin. Hard to pinpoint it, sorry

 

it's probably your alternator belt.

 

I would say alternator belt or alternator. I have heard a dying alternator hum like you're describing.

 

Alternator

 

All this being said, I don't think the 40 minutes of unanticipated idling would have anything to do with these issues. Think of all the big-city traffic jams where a car barely gets up to idling-coast speed for an hour or so.

 

It really doesnt matter that it just happened after idling for awhile. Sounds like an alternator issue just came up. Take a look at it or get it tested.

 

I'm voting with the other guys that you have an alternator problem.