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jarlifter
New User
Aug 4, 2008, 5:33 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1796 views)
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i have a 1994 pontiac grand am se 2.3 quad 4
in the last week i am on my 2nd battery and still my dashbaord light shows battery
i had to get a jump start made it to the Auto Part store where i bought my battery in January 2008
they put the battery on the machine and it shows bad battery> they replace the battery at no charge>
i then get up this morning and the car wil not start.. the head lights will come on. the radio works.. then i crank the car and it dies then i try to start the car again and then it wil nto start back...... i cant get the car to start to take it to a mechannic.
i call adn they tell me that it could be the alternator but it could also be the starter???
so i thought that i would try here to get some more advice
any help is greatly appreciated
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jayeffel
User
Aug 4, 2008, 9:11 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1780 views)
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If you have access to an Auto Zone, (or other auto parts store who can check battery and alternator while in the vehicle) they can check it free. A bad alternator can drain a battery quickly- a bad battery will affect the alternator. If you can jump the battery it may last long enough to get there, but it sounds like this is not going to happen for you. You may have to remove both and take them somewhere.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 5, 2008, 4:59 AM
Post #3 of 8
(1777 views)
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This little gem is under $20 (Wally World) and automatically charges battery and shuts off when done even thru cigarette lighter/power port! I highly suggest owning one. Black and Decker Battery charger/maintainer, slow at just 1 or 2 amps rate but would do in some time to charge battery then making alternator testing more accurate on car.
What's with the mechanic that doesn't know whether this is an alternator/battery problem or starter motor? That doesn't cut it if you are in biz??
T
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jarlifter
New User
Aug 5, 2008, 5:34 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1772 views)
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i went to auto zone and took them both and they said that both are good! they said that it could be the grounding block.. does that sound right?
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Aug 5, 2008, 7:02 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1767 views)
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Sounded like that was an over the phone diag Tom. Not sure about your customers, but in my area. If you're gonna diagnose over the phone without even looking at the car, you either better be real good or have real thick skin, cuz heaven help ya when you are wrong........
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 5, 2008, 7:44 PM
Post #6 of 8
(1765 views)
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Hey friend?? If you want to take a shot at least sign in. How could any of us BE THERE on a web site? Of course this is "over the phone" diagnostics and I've only suggested doing such with a known charged battery which still isn't known is it? It may have passed some tests I didn't know but if I don't know it's charged then I'm lost. How the heck would I know what AutoZone did? Last I heard the were a parts store and folks there are not necessarily mechanics. By the script of this it appears the alt and bat were taken in off the car which isn't always helpful for the full check out as when they're installed,
T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Aug 5, 2008, 8:01 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1762 views)
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There was no shot...I just felt a little slighted by this comment.
What's with the mechanic that doesn't know whether this is an alternator/battery problem or starter motor? That doesn't cut it if you are in biz??
I guess I should of quoted the 1st time...my mistake.
I was just pointing out after reading the post that was an over the phone diag by the mechanic..... The posted stated they couldn't get it to the shop....
No shots.....you guys do good here and can offer free advise....& it's taken that way..
I'm sure you know how it is in the real world
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 5, 2008, 9:11 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1760 views)
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The quote was a question of why a hands on tech didn't know?? Perhaps they ran out of time for that car right then? It's hard enough from here and someone was right there! At any rate it's safe to say that the starter itself isn't involved in a battery alternator issue but there is the solonoid where the power goes to from the battery that is on the starter and wiring could be messed up there or some funky fault not common to me for this.
Anything said here is a suggestion of what could be the problem. It's hard enough sometimes hands on to be certain and then surprises still happen.
Back to work,
T
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