So I was going to Target earlier today. When I got back to my car to start it, it wouldn't start. It wouldn't even crank over. I had bought and installed an Optima Yellow Top less than a year ago, so I was thinking to myself no way can it be due to the battery.

My roommate came out, and we jump started the car to see if that'll work. The car finally started, and I was relieved. I then drove the car back to my apartment complex and pulled into a parking space. I turned off the motor. I then turn it back on, and yup the damn thing wouldn't turn over. Lights are all dim all over the place.

My OEM Honda battery lasted 4 years without a single problem. This Optima battery is not even a year old.

Anyone think my alternator might be dead? I've been running with an AEM alternator pulley for about 2 years now. Could this cause my alternator to go bad?

My car is sitting here at the apartment complex dead and undrivable until I figure what I should do. Help!!!!!! What should I do now??

I want to get this thing back on the road again.

 

try bolting on a friends alternator and see if it works

 

I really can't do car repair work at the apartment because it isn't allowed. For information sakes, this is the 1st ever jump start performed on this Optima Battery. No lights were acidentally left on or anything ever. The car just decided to die on me outside Target earlier today without warning.

 

Seems like alternator's bad but, i'm not really sure.

 

Check the battery, and check your grounds.

How many miles on your car? WHat year is it? Was it a hot day? Old Hondas have problems with the main fuel pump relay, meaning the soldering on them kinda got brittle and cracked. resoldering it will make it good for another 10 years, its simple to do. Search for this.

 

Is the alternator needed to keep the car running? I ask because I was able to drive all the way home, and it didn't die on the highway, thank gawd.

 

Hehe, yes, when running the alternator supplys all the power as well as charges the battery. Do a battery test, this is a machine that runs 200 Amps over the battery, and if the voltage is above 9.6 Volts its okay. If you check your battery now with a voltmeter, should be at 12.6, if its below 11, new battery needed.

 

Yup, like Redline said, if you can't take out the battery at your apartment due to whatever rules, just take a voltmeter to your battery. Set the meter to DC (obvious, but you never know) and check battery voltage. It should be around 12 to 12.4 VDC (on OEM...not sure about Optima, but should be about same). If not, toss a charger on you battery before proceeding to the next step. Next, with the voltmeter still attached to the battery (showing 12-12.4VDC) have someone try cranking over the engine. If you meter drops drastically, like below 9VDC then your battery is more than likely incapable of providing enough juice to turn over and start the engine.

Also, when your car is running, check the voltage at the battery again. If your alternator is working correctly, I believe you should be reading about 14.4 VDC with the engine running.

Personally, I would do as already mentioned and perform a load test on the battery. Always start with the simple stuff first and work your way from there. You can pull the battery and take it to a shop/Pepboys/whatever and have them perform a load test on it (usually free). If it checks good then move on to your charging system, if it checks bad it's time to call Optima and get a refund or a new battery for free

Good luck and let us know when you're back on the road again.