Hi everyone,

Last night I started having crazy electrical problems. First thing that happened was that my stereo turned off, then back on, and off and on aand so on.
Then my headlishgts/dash lishgts all dimmed severely, and the car started to give these shudders, or jumps when I slowed down, so I turned my hazards on. OR, I hit the button, b ut nothing happened. About 30 seconds later, the hazards came on.
I managed to get home, and I had just finished parking and the engine died.

Now, it won't start, but accessories will run, albeit not very well. The windows are rediculously slow, and the stereo will cut out every now and then.

I jumped it from my brother in law's truck, and it started, but as soon as I did anything (I pushed the horn) the car died.

My assumption is either the alternator isn't charging the battery, or the battery won't hold a charge. I have already cleaned the battery terminals, and it didn't help.

Sorry about the long post, it's just a really weird problem, and I don't want to buy a battery if it's the alt, or the reverse. Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated.

It's probably the alternator, but check the ALT fuse first.

If the battery is in very bad shape it could also cause these symptoms.

Checked the alt choke fuse in the fuse box, is that the right one? It looked fine, wasn't broken.

I don't even know how old the battery is, but it looks like it's in fine shape.

I just had the exact same problem yesterday. The symptoms were different than when my alternator failed, so I bought a replacement battery. Time will tell if this fixes it, I haven't really driven the car since then, but on the hour or so ride home everything was just fine.

Looks like that's the first thing I'll try. Mainly because it's easier to change the battery than the alternator.

Now to see if i can get a ride...

Lol
I had this problem for 6 months , it is alternator problem.
I changed the battery 3 times and it was happening same thing again.
I changed the alternator and it becomes like normal.

Jeff,
My suggestion is give a hard time to the battery and you'll see if it fails.

Mehrdad

hey man if you still have fac. bat. terminals, check and see if they come loose after a few weeks.just from the engine tempatures(hot/cold)?? It cost me two alternators to figure that one??lol

It was the alternator! I have been driving with the new alt for almost a week now, and it's working like normal.

So 3 days and $165 later, my problem is solved!

Thanks for all the help.