Alt charging dead battery? Did I kill my Alt?

[AVSTANG02]

My battery died cause the car sat for months.

So we jumped it and let it run for about 15 - 30 minutes..

Well I thought all was good and I was ready to get on my way so I put the car in reverse and immediately it died and not start without a jump. So the battery obviously got no charge.

The alt was putting out 12v..

BUT on the second try about 5 minutes in.. while the car was running all the dials went crazy and the car was about to die so I shut it off..

So did that kill the alternator?

The Alt is only 2 - 3 years old. Same with the battery.

fmylife. Owning a car is such a lame liability.

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[Magz_rule 10+ year member]

Alts dead, New Alt + battery and you should be good to go.

 

[Varinabassing 10+ year member]

Was it a stock alt? a big one prolly wouldnt die from just charging one battery even one dead one

 

[audioatg 10+ year member]

My battery died cause the car sat for months.
So we jumped it and let it run for about 15 - 30 minutes..

Well I thought all was good and I was ready to get on my way so I put the car in reverse and immediately it died and not start without a jump. So the battery obviously got no charge.

The alt was putting out 12v..

BUT on the second try about 5 minutes in.. while the car was running all the dials went crazy and the car was about to die so I shut it off..

So did that kill the alternator?

The Alt is only 2 - 3 years old. Same with the battery.

fmylife. Owning a car is such a lame liability.

Only 12volts. With car on. Should be higher then that. Over 13volts.... Alt was most likely dieing along time ago before car was sitting.

 

[AVSTANG02]

The alt is not aftermarket it was just a factory replacement for the original stock alt.

Pisses me off because the alt is only 2- 3 years old.. The battery was changed at the same time..

I'm just going to have it towed and tested.

I don't understand how come the entire Alt goes dead? Not just a piece that can be replaced. Especially if it's that easy to kill it.

So now i'm going to be out another $300 to have it replaced.. AGAIN...

The stereo in that car is only 1000watts and it never runs full tilt.. That would kill the alt after 2 - 3 years?

Only 12volts. With car on. Should be higher then that. Over 13volts.... Alt was most likely dieing along time ago before car was sitting.

Oh I dunno what the exact rating was my pops read the voltage (electrical engineer) It could have been over 12volts.. He just nodded that it was good..

The thing is that was before the second time the car shut off.. Something could have gotten fuxed the second time we let it run..

 

[audioatg 10+ year member]

Your dad said it was good. Then it has to be over 12volts then. Cant see a electrical engineer saying 12volts at the batt, car on would be okay. Have you looked over everything else. Belt crazy enough, How about the main fuse. Is it okay. Popped. I would get a better DMM and test the voltage at the alt post and battery.

LOL sorry to tell ya when the alt goes you got to replace the whole thing. Not like old days when you could replace parts. Hey you could always look in your area and see If there is repair shops that does Alternator. I took mine one time to have the front bearing replaced. Look in your yellow pages.

 

[AVSTANG02]

Your dad said it was good. Then it has to be over 12volts then. Cant see a electrical engineer saying 12volts at the batt, car on would be okay. Have you looked over everything else. Belt crazy enough, How about the main fuse. Is it okay. Popped. I would get a better DMM and test the voltage at the alt post and battery.
LOL sorry to tell ya when the alt goes you got to replace the whole thing. Not like old days when you could replace parts. Hey you could always look in your area and see If there is repair shops that does Alternator. I took mine one time to have the front bearing replaced. Look in your yellow pages.

Well i'd like to assume my dad knows what the alternator should be putting out. But maybe he doesn't *shrug*.

I'm going to have the system tested and then go from there..

But i'm guessing you guys are right and either the alternator or the battery or both have gone bad.. At least my battery has a free replacement warranty on it..

I've been told if the battery is bad the car won't stay running even if the alt is good. I dunno..

It sucks spending money on a car I don't drive. I've just kept it over the years because it's been impossible to sell.. It's a 2002 v6 mustang... But I really need to keep it in running condition..

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

not all alts charge at idle

 

[AVSTANG02]

not all alts charge at idle

Yup.

Here's the question do all Alts go bad trying to charge at idle.

I did some reading and the battery I had in the car is NOTORIOUS for going bad at around 2.5 years. Which is exactly how old the battery is..

So I REALLY hope it is the battery and I didn't kill the Alt trying to charge it.

But with my luck I did and i'm going to be out $300+

 

[AVSTANG02]

Just to answer my own question all Alts do go bad trying to charge a dead battery.

 

[Ken448 10+ year member]

buy your alt form auto Zone they have lifetime replacments //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif I know because my 98 Sonoma EATS alternators!!!

 

[NewAgeKing 5,000+ posts]

Anytime you let your car sit for awhile you should charge the battery up first. Altys will overheat at startup trying to charge that dead batt.

 

[AVSTANG02]

The annoying thing is.. I may have damaged the alt but when they test it.. It is possible it will test fine and then just randomly fail one day..

And if the battery was completely discharged it is probally damaged also but will test fine.. and it will screw me one day also..

I'm going to have to spend $100 on a battery charger after this also..

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

you can get one for about $25 from a u-pull-it place

 

[AVSTANG02]

I lucked out.

I didn't damage the Alternator... They assured me I was crazy the battery was dead not just discharged and the car knows that and doesn't allow the car to run.