I replaced both the battery and alternator on my 1990 Accord just over a year ago, and once again it won't start. It will jump, but last year I got stranded and couldn't jump it in the middle of heavy traffic, so I'm nervous about driving it to see if the battery will recharge. I suspect that the alternator that was put in was just bad quality, but is there something else that could be causing it?

Last time I paid to have it done, but am trying to sell the car, so want the cheapest way of getting it to where someone can do a test drive.

What steps do I take first? If I replace the battery, but it needs a new alternator, how much driving can I do before I get stuck?

Thanks!

 

first, remove the battery and take it to a place like AutoZone that will test the battery to see if it's good. If it's bad, then it's a good chance that was your problem but you still might want to check your alternator to be sure. If it is good and is just dead, they should charge it for you for free. If thats the case, your battery is good, then go and remove the alternator and take that to them. They should test this for free as well. If that come back no good then replace it.

 

there are ways you can check to see if the alternator is working properly, if you dont have the tools in hand. you can always borrow from a friend or rent one from autozone, i believe they check it for you too if anything...

this way you wont have to keep spending hundreds on a alternator.


damn by the time i was done writing this, touring beat me to it lol

 

Autozone or Kragen will check both your battery and alternator while still on your car. For a more thorough check of your alternator you need to remove it for a bench test. As said before, autozone will charge your battery for free, but a battery can only be brought back to life a few times before the battery is completely dead. Is it possible that something in your car is being left on after you turn off your car and draining it little by little?

 

Well I took the battery in; it was bad. So I replaced it and the car started the first try, but it sounded really labored. The idle was very rough. I hadn't bolted the battery down though, so I turned it back off, and now while it'll at least put in a good effort, it won't actually start.

Should I take the alternator in tomorrow... or does this sound like something else entirely?

 

could be something in the electrical system... just try and get it to a honda shop and they can diagnose it for you....

 

so you put in a new battery and it started up good the first time but after turning he car off it won't start back up? You might want to have the whole electrical checked before you start throwing more parts into it.

 

Well, I think my car was just being cranky after being left to sit for a while. I started it yesterday. Again the second time I tried it wouldn't start. Then I drove it around a bit, put some gas in, and everything was fine. I stopped and restarted several times and never had a problem again. I tested the alternator and that was fine too.

Thanks everyone!