please help

[Motoxpaul05]

so tonight i got in my car started it everything was fine. drove about a 1/4 mile turned it off. started it again everything fine then about 2 miles later my cd player shuts off and everything gets dim. but when i rev my motor everything gets brighter is this a sign that the cold weather killed my battery? please help

[pedroalcala]

It could be your alternator or alternator belt...are you running the car while in cold temp (engine)?

[Motoxpaul05]

ya its only in the low 30s here the last few days

[pedroalcala]

ya its only in the low 30s here the last few days

Yea but Im talking about the engine, are you running the engine without letting the engine warm up?

[Motoxpaul05]

ya i did do that the past few days

[jmolina]

its actually better to start running the engine as soon as you start it, just don't floor it, that way, it slowing warms up and luricates all the moving parts.

do you have stock radio or aftermarket? check you connection to the battery if its aftermarket, mine does the same then it comes back on, the connection was loose. the dimming of lights might be your alternator(maybe) not recharging the battery properly at idle, also this happens when you have a sound system in your car.

for now i suggest you check all battery cables, make sure they are free of corrosion and tight.

[pedroalcala]

ya i did do that the past few days

Well looks like your CB dosen't like the cold
try warming up your car, and also check that alternator and belt, have you done a full tune-up maintenance?

[Motoxpaul05]

ive done plugs wires cap and rotor about 2 months ago i just hope its not my alternator

[CB7 Sleeper]

its actually better to start running the engine as soon as you start it, just don't floor it, that way, it slowing warms up and luricates all the moving parts.

do you have stock radio or aftermarket? check you connection to the battery if its aftermarket, mine does the same then it comes back on, the connection was loose. the dimming of lights might be your alternator(maybe) not recharging the battery properly at idle, also this happens when you have a sound system in your car.

for now i suggest you check all battery cables, make sure they are free of corrosion and tight.

When starting an engine, it does not matter how you let the engine warm up. You could start it up and rev it a little to warm it up quick, or let it sit for a while running. It doesn't matter, the ECU is made to correct all of this in order to keep the engine from being damaged. All the sensors, etc. work together to communicate with the ECU and correct air/fuel mixture etc. and keep your engine running safely. No matter how you warm it up, it won't affect anything. The moving parts are going to be lubricated evenly either way. Sure there's a "better" way to do things like this, but in the end it really isn't a big deal.

Sounds to me like an electrical problem for sure. Your alternator might be taking a shit on you. Check your connections such as grounds, etc. Clean the terminals on your battery and make sure your wires are in decent shape.

Is it only doing this in the cold or has it done it in the warm too?

[CB7 Sleeper]

ive done plugs wires cap and rotor about 2 months ago i just hope its not my alternator

Also, alternators really aren't very hard or expensive to replace. Just get a re-manufactured alternator from a local auto parts store.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Sounds like the regulator in the alternator is shitting, but first check and clean all your battery connections, could be that simple.

Yes in colder climates it is ok to start and drive GENTLY your modern fuel injected car. Older carb'd cars require a 5-10 minute warm-up in colder climates. Of course its nice to drive to work nice and toasty all the way on those zero degree mornings.

[Motoxpaul05]

tonight waxs the first time it has acted up... however a couple weeks ago when it was like 12 degrees outside there were a few mornings where she barely started up

[CB7 Sleeper]

tonight waxs the first time it has acted up... however a couple weeks ago when it was like 12 degrees outside there were a few mornings where she barely started up

It's your alternator. Sorry, but that's definitely it from what I am understanding.

As for the hard start up in the cold, that's completely unrelated.

[Motoxpaul05]

dammit how much would one run?

[CB7 Sleeper]

dammit how much would one run?

Go to your local Autozone or something and ask them. My guess would be less than $100 bucks.