Battery? Alternator?

[Bluejayde]

Okay, so my battery light has been coming on for a few days, then it'll go off. My car has been starting fine, I thought something was wrong with the light or something(I know, I know).

So tonight I'm driving my girlfriend home and the light comes on again. I think it's the same old thing until everything goes dim and my car loses power. A little bit down the road the radio shuts off, then the headlights. I make it to her house and drop her off. Then I decide I can make it home on the backroads with no lights. Bad idea. I can barely see, then it starts to rain. I drive for two or three miles and all the sudden everything comes back on and the car runs just like normal. What the hell is going on?

My current plan is to have the battery tested, but I'm wondering if it's not the alternator. I am open to other ideas and suggestions.

[green5thgen]

it's not the battery, once the car is started you can actually take the battery outta the car and it'll run fine. It's your alternator and it's got a loose connection or it's dying. If everything starts to go dim and the light comes on, try putting the car in neutral and revving it. Does the light go off? If so it's dying. But on the other hand if everything starts to go dim and the suddenly come back to normal, you more than likely have a loose connection on the alternator wire this is loosing contact and draining the battery and then all the sudden it makes a good connection and woalla, everythings getting good juice again. But one thing for sure, it's NOT the battery, but if your alternator is going bad it may ruin your battery also. Check the connections, and if their tight, it's your alternator.

[AccordAnimal]

I am going to guess it is your alternator. I had this exact same problem with my mom's expedition.

[bruno8747]

One thing that works sometimes is to hit the alternator with a wood. It worked a couple of times for me. Also if u cant afford a new alternator you can take out the alternator and clean it with electric cleaner. Sometimes the brushes get dirt and oil on them and dont work properly.

[Bluejayde]

One thing that works sometimes is to hit the alternator with a wood.

Umm.. I like my car and all, but not enough to do that....

Thanks for the advice guys, hopefully I can check it out once I get off work and I'll give you all an update.

[evol90accord]

Hey same thing happened to me. Get your alternator checked asap.

[wed3k]

yea, thats odd. my car was running fine right now but when i was test driving it...1/2 mile away from my house, it almost stalls and a CEL comes on. i pull over the rpm is around 200. sometimes it would be normal, sometimes stall, sometimes 200.

so i got out and tried to start it again, i had no power to anything. i shoke the positive battery connector and it regained power but it has to be in the right position otherwise it would cut power off again. oh and the CEL never came back, maybe it was because cutting the power resets the ecu and whatnot.

[jhondayaaj]

i would get your alternator checked out first before you do anything else.

[wed3k]

i would get your alternator checked out first before you do anything else.

hmm, but my battery never dies on me and always keep a charge.

[jhondayaaj]

hmm, but my battery never dies on me and always keep a charge.

i was referring to the original post.

[fac90]

Sounds like the voltage regulator which is within the alternator. Before replacing, check the belts for correct tension. Perform a charging system test at Sears or some battery place.