car died

[95Five0]

My car sat for a little bit, not too long though. Drove it around town a little today and when I was getting home the radio stopped producing sound and the interior lights/gauges dimmed. I turned it off and it started right back up again, but then five minutes later it wouldn't start. My battery is pretty new, how can I check if my alternator is working right? Could it have something to do with the rain? (short/bad ground, etc...). I'm terrible at diagnosing electrical problems, any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HISSIN50]

If you can safely do it, take it to the parts store for a charging system test - it should be free.

Very simply stated, a charged battery should have 12.6 volts. So when you have the car idling if you show more than that, you are charging to some degree. You can consult your repair manual for more specific numbers (some of the posts in here have numbers which differ from what the repair manual shows).

BTW, it is normal when the system drops to around 10 volts or so, for the radio, center mounted clock and other stuff (including the ABS) to shut down.

Good luck.

 

[bill302]

starter will turn but won,t crank. or starter won't turnover at all.

 

[95Five0]

starter is turning but won't crank, haven't had a chance to look at it with the rain lately. Probably gonna check it out tomorrow.

 

[HISSIN50]

Huh? If the starter turns (assuming the bendix is engaging; If it werent, that would be a whole issue right there), then the engine should turn over.

No cranking = nothing happens when you turn the key to start the car.

Cranking = whir whir whir noises as the starter turns the motor over, but it wont 'catch'.

Catching = starts and runs on its own.