I was driving really hard tonight and i turned a sharp corner and my car died. light and everyting died. I opened the hood and the positive terminal came off, my dumb *** forgot to tighten it. could it be that my alternator is going? since the terminal came off? so im guessing i need a new alternator? is that normal?

 

i'm pretty sure you need the battery connected for the car to run, so no, i don't think your alternator is bad.

 

You need the postive terminal connected to run. That completes the cuircuit and all your systems still pull from the battery, your alternator just keeps the system from draining.

 

so its not the alternator? im hoping so thanks for the replies

 

don't worry your alt. is not the problem.....put the 10mm to that battery terminal and you will be fine


[Modified by SLPR, 9:45 AM 12/10/2002]

 

technically you dont NEED the battery there to run unless your alternator isnt putting out sufficiently. HOWEVER, it is strongly recommended to always have a battery connected whether it is good or bad, to prevent voltage spikes that could be fatal to the eletrical system. (the spikes get as high as 40v +).

 

i rember over the fourth of july my batt exploded. so i thoguht jumping it with another battery and drive it home would be a good idea. I started the car up with a friends battery and took off the terminals. the car ran at idle but died. so im thinking something else... dead alt? or dead batt look at my old thread

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=354206