Several weeks ago, my check engine and battery lights came on for about 10 seconds and then went off. The same thing happened again a few days later, both lights on for about 10 seconds and then off.

Nothing strange happened again until two days ago when my air bag and seat belt light kept going off and on. Also, my antenna kept retracting and extending and my digital clock would go dim and get bright again.

I immediately thought my alternator had finally died but was able to get home (I was only about a two miles away when this happened).

As soon as I got home, I turned the car off and tried to start it again right away but it wouldn’t crank. I assumed that I had been running on battery electricity and that’s what drained the battery.

I threw the battery on a 10 amp charger for about two hours and this time the car started. While it was running, I turned on the lights, hazards, rear defroster, radio, heater, etc and measured the voltage across the battery terminals. My volt meter showed no more than 12.2 volts so again I thought my alternator was dead.

I ordered a new alternator from AutoZone and picked it up today (it was a 125 amp unit and it didn’t fit). While there, I had them test my old one and they said it failed.

I headed over to PepBoys and they also tested it and they said it passed as well, so now I’m confused. I also had them test my battery for the first time and it had one bad cell (it’s only two years old) so I got a new free battery.
I went to a different AutoZone, had then test the alternator and they also said it passed.

Would a bad battery cause all those lights to go off and on? I’ve had plenty of dead batteries and have never experienced this before.

I guess I need to check the battery ground cable connect to my but any other suggestions? I don’t want to spend the $ for a new alternator if it’s not needed but I also don’t want to get stuck on the road.

Thanks

 

No need for two threads bud. You were answered in your other thread.