So for the past 3 days, my car keeps dying. Ill go out to start it in the morning but the battery will be near dead. It has been in the 30's here lately but I know that its not the battery because it is a brand new Optima Red Top that I bought this summer. One theory I have is that it could be due to the AEM True Power Pullies that I have on it right now but Im not sure. Today when I left work, I needed a friend to jump my car for me so I could go home. We jumped the car and it started fine. I drove probably less than a mile and I noticed that my lights kept getting dimmer and dimmer. I came to a stop sign and when I started to move again I looked down and my instrument cluster was all dim and the Spedo wasnt going up. All of a sudden, it bouced up and then went back down and bounced up and went back down. The battery light never came on tho. What do you think the problem is? I checked my terminals and they were loose so I tried to tighten them up but they would only tighten soo much and they were still a little loose. Now my car s sitting in a parking lot because I dont want to drive it and "hurt" it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Well, if you're driving and you're losing power, then your alternator is probably bad. Most auto parts stores do free alternator testing. Normally an underdrive alternator pulley would make you lose volts in stop and go traffic, but not while you're driving down the road

 

bring your battery and alternator to a parts store and have them both tested. eliminate variables until you have your solution. if it's neither of those, try the the main relay or igniter?

 

ignition switch.....sounds like its going bad, get a volt meter. test the wires with key on and see if you get a constant 12v. and if not just hot wire the bish, its easy!

 

You should get your alternator tested like (InvaderTrax) said. Iv Heard of a people losing power and lights start dimming and also bouncy tachs when the alternator is going bad. Its very noticable at a stop!

 

im having the same problem i barely made it home tonight

good thing i have extra alternators and warrant on my battery w00t

 

Just take your car to the nearest shop and ask them to test your battery cca and your alternators output. It doesn't take more then a couple of minutes if they have the right equipment and you don't have to take anything out.

About your optima battery I've seen more of them go out then regular batteries so don't take it out of the equation until you test it.

You could also check if your alt is putting good output out by taking the possitive off your battery, your car should stay on if your alt is in decent shape.

 

My car wont drive. I dont want to drive it and have it completely die on me. Its sitting in a parking lot right now. Anyone know where can I get a cheap alternator?

 

i got one for sale of a h23 ill sell rather cheap, its located in jamestown NY