The car is a 2000 Dodge Neon with an automatic transmission and about 80K miles. Engine size (not 100% certain) 4-2.0L FI
First, please bear in mind that I'm not really all that knowledgeable about this stuff, so please be gentle. :)
We had problems getting it started after it sat for a week and a half and with a friend's help I've determined that both the Alternator and the Battery need to be replaced (The belt for the Alternator has broken and the Alternator cannot be spun manually).
I've already spoken with a local repair shop that specializes in the electrical systems in automobiles and I need to get the car there.
The repair shop is not far away (less than 1/2 mile). Because I have to buy a new battery anyway, my hope is that I can put in the new battery and use that to drive it to the shop, thus avoiding the need to arrange (and pay for) a tow.
One concern that's been brought up is that it may have been a serpentine built that drives more than just the Alternator and if so, it may not be drivable regardless of the situation with the battery.
The belt that broke was about 2 feet long extended. About 1/2" wide and rough on the inside with several deep grooves on the outside.
How can I easily tell if I'll be able to safely drive the car the short distance to the shop without that belt in place.
First, please bear in mind that I'm not really all that knowledgeable about this stuff, so please be gentle. :)
We had problems getting it started after it sat for a week and a half and with a friend's help I've determined that both the Alternator and the Battery need to be replaced (The belt for the Alternator has broken and the Alternator cannot be spun manually).
I've already spoken with a local repair shop that specializes in the electrical systems in automobiles and I need to get the car there.
The repair shop is not far away (less than 1/2 mile). Because I have to buy a new battery anyway, my hope is that I can put in the new battery and use that to drive it to the shop, thus avoiding the need to arrange (and pay for) a tow.
One concern that's been brought up is that it may have been a serpentine built that drives more than just the Alternator and if so, it may not be drivable regardless of the situation with the battery.
The belt that broke was about 2 feet long extended. About 1/2" wide and rough on the inside with several deep grooves on the outside.
How can I easily tell if I'll be able to safely drive the car the short distance to the shop without that belt in place.
Jun 13, 2007 at 3:35 AM