car alternator?

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BLACKTOOTHGRIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
my car shows battery warning when driving at night. one time i drove to buy stuffs at the town, battery warning glowed and the steering went a little heavy. and so i went on, parked my car, and went to buy things. when i went back to the car, it wont start and started to produce ticking sounds. i called my mechanic but he was out of town but instructed me to get my car pulled to his shop and so i did. i went there the next day and he said either the battery is dead due to old age, or there's something wrong with the alternator. he's not an electrician. he's a mechanic. hope you can help me. thanks guys, and more power!
Nov 16, 2011 at 4:50 PM
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FIXITMR
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,989 POSTS
tell him to BOOST car to start and then check voltage at battery. should be over 12v more to 14+v if alternator is ok. at night driving requires more draw on battery. a weak alternator or loose belt will cause battery to drain till not usable to power car. if alternator checks OK then the battery is suspect.
Nov 16, 2011 at 7:53 PM
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