1992 Chevrolet Lumina Won't Hold Charge

1992 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
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GINNAKELLY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
So my car was making a ticking nosie to start up yesterday and today I had to get it boosted to get it going, but as soon as its turned off it won't turn back on. The alternator looks faily new. I just bought the car a few months ago. Could it be a battery issue or is there things I can do to test to see what it is before I take it to get it fixed.

Also is there a likelyhood that a car with this problem would keep a charge while driving for an hour so I can get to my normal mechanic or should I not chance it and get it fixed where I am?
Dec 13, 2006 at 6:36 AM
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BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 337 POSTS
Sounds like the alternator is bad. If you have a voltmeter you could test it. You will need the battery at a full state of charge to preform any test. Connect the postive lead of the meter to the postive of the battery and the negative to the negative. Start the car and observe the meter the voltage should be between 13.5 and 15.5 for most cars If not the alternator is defective. Good luck
Backyardmechanic :)
Dec 13, 2006 at 6:54 AM
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Suggested Repair

Fully charge the battery, then measure voltage at the battery with the engine running. A normal reading is about 13.5 to 15.5 volts; outside that range, the alternator is likely defective and should be repaired or replaced.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1992 Chevrolet Lumina says the car made a ticking noise when starting, needed a boost, and will not restart after being shut off. The alternator looks fairly new, and they ask whether the battery is at fault, how to test the system, and whether it is safe to drive about an hour to their mechanic. The expert says the alternator is likely bad and recommends testing with a voltmeter only after the battery is fully charged: running voltage should be 13.5 to 15.5 volts, and a reading outside that range indicates a defective alternator.

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