ok so this morning i tried to start my car and it didnt start. it showed codes 8 and 20 at first so then i tried to jump start it which worked. went to buy a new battery and thought i was good to go... drive about 70 miles. rest the car for a few hours and the battery light was on this whole time. when im close to home the check engine light goes on with the battery light. get home turn the car off and car dies. throwing code 12. help me on how to fix this!!! can it be the alt? anyting please! i start school tommarow

 

Get your alternator tested. Make sure your battery cables, alternator cables, and all your grounds are good.

If the car started with a jump and worked for a while with a new battery, then something in the charging system sounds like a reasonable solution.

 

how do i get my battery or alt checked? and where? and for the cables jus make sure there in and tight and all the good stuff?

 

I believe autozone and checkers/schmucks/kragen offer free alternator testing. Battery light actually means that the alternator is not regulating power correctly; it has nothing to do with the battery.

 

so i bought a new battery for nothing?

 

yep. you can always return the battery as long as u have a recipt. like everyone in here says ur probably going to need a new alt.

 

argh im sick of spending moneyyyyyy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gumbey75 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so i bought a new battery for nothing?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Supposed to replace them every now and again anyway so it's all good.

 

replace the alternator

 

how much do these things usally cost? the rebuilt ones?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gumbey75 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how much do these things usally cost? the rebuilt ones?</TD></TR></TABLE>

HOW MUCH YOU SAY!? depending where you get one...
$110 for the generic autolite from kragen or whatever.
$160 for OEM from honda.

just get whatever you used alternator you can for now until you get your zc next week or something. i sometimes see stuff on craigslist for HELLA cheap. but i wouldnt use one of those alternators for a long term fix..
PEACE