I have a 95 civic hatchback vx. Just recently it died and wouldnt start unless I jump started it. By the next day, it died again. I was thinking about changing the battery but I dont want to buy a new battery if the problem is the alternator. Does anybody know how to tell if it is the alternator or the battery? Any help is greatly appreciated.. Thanks alot in advance..

 

did it die while you were driving it?

 

No. the first time it died I didnt drive it for like 4-5 days. It started on its own after trying for like 15 minutes then like a month and a half later it just died overnight. I jumped it and it started right up then it was dead the next day. Im thinking it is the battery but I dont want to buy a new one and drain it if its the alternator.

 

Go to your local auto parts store. They should be able to test both to see where the problem is.

 

or kick start/ push start it with the battery disconnected. Or jump start it again and remove the battery cable, if it still runs your alternator is fine your battery is dead. It really sounds like the battery to me though

 

Yeah. I was thinking the battery too but once before I had a problem w/ an alternator and it drained another battery in an older car I had and I didnt want this to happen again. Thanks alot for the help. Im glad theres still people out there who enjoy lending a helping hand.

 

Take your battery to a qualified mechanic and/or Autozone and have them do a load test on the battery. The mentioned test will determine wether you have a bad battery.

 

when the car is runing, use a multimeter and put it on the battery terminals and if you see a voltage of 13+ volts that means that your alternator is charging and the problem is your battery isint holding a charge. i had the same problem with a ultima battery and i got it replaced for free(2 year warranty)

 

its your alternator, you need a new one, buy one at your local part shop, it can run you for 100-120 dollars

 

really sounds like ur alternator but hey get your old battery tested is free anyways

 

Yeah, get the battery tested at A-Zone...

If you leave it with them, they can even charge it up for you. It may just have too weak a charge to get really juiced up from your stock alternator...

Also, make sure your trunk light isn't on (or something else dumb like that)...