chagger32

i replaced my alternator and battery and yet my car keeps dieing on me when i drive it i have no idea what to do at this point

billschroeder5842

CAn you please elaborate a bit? There are many reasons that a car will die while driving and most are not electrical related.

When the car dies, does ALL the power in the car go off or just the engine (with the cluster, fans, radios, etc all working) shutting down.

chagger32

it is just the engine that will not crank back up until the battery is put back onto the charger but i can tell about 10 minutes into the drive that i need to pull off or i will be in trouble when the gauges turn dark and the clock light flickers the battery does not completely die though as the interior lights are still on

chagger32

i can also give it a jump and it will start right back until it idles a bit then dies again

JimLentz

Even though you replaced the alternator it sounds like it is not charging. Have you checked the voltage while it is running? It should be over 13.5 volts at the alternator while running.

billschroeder5842

Well your issue is the battery, the alternator or a combo.

When you get it started go to AutoZone and (for free) they will put a gauge on the battery and that will tell you the condition of the battery and the condition of the alternator.

The fact that the engine starts immediately upon jumping means the battery is way low. Now, the battery is either shot or the alternator is not charging. Either way you'll need to know.

aklim

Where did you get the alternator and battery?

chagger32

Rockauto.com - Alternator

Advance Auto - Battery

chagger32

I am charging the battery now so i am going to risk the 10 minute drive to auto zone either tomorrow or Friday at the latest need to build up confidence who knows if the wife will leave me stranded if i break down again .

chagger32

i have not i really should have but when you buy something from a store you expect it to work but at least the C4's alternator is not that much of a hassle

aklim

No, if you drive it, you skew the test. I would take the alternator to a rebuild shop and have them take it apart and test it extensively. Also, battery needs to be fully charged so they can do a load test. If you hook it up, we have no clue if the car is draining the battery or whatever. Also, I would, while you are screwing with the rebuild shop, have them take the starter for a test and disassembly

divotdug

You need to put a multi-meter on the battery while it is running to see if the battery is charging.

Sounds like the battery is not charging.

Either the battery or alternator could be bad. New things do fail.

chagger32

bad alternator i will never buy re manufactured again if i could help it

aklim

Is that the issue or what?

chagger32

That was the battery issue. Unfourtantly gauges don't have any numbers that are visible and car dies out but it is still able to start back up atleast going for a new fuel pump and distributor tommorow.

Btw sorry about the tension last night. I was in a awful mood and received unfortunate news.

aklim

Until you brought it up, I had already forgotten and by the end of the movie I'm watching, I'd probably forget again. When I have alzheimers nobody will know.