I started my car today and it didn't start. I jumped it and it started. I made it about a mile down the road, and it died on me. Is this a bad alternator? It keeps dying and won't run.
Thanks!

 

Does your car have a volt guage?
What does it say - if its less then 12.5 volts while the car is running then its probably the alt.

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91 B4C 305 TPI - SOON TO BE 383
TREMEC 5-SP, STOCK 1-BOLT REAREAND w/342 GEARS, K&N, AIRFOIL
EDELBROCK HEADERS, DUAL CAT TO HOMEMADE Y-PIPE & 3.5" SINGLE PIPE W/ FLOWMASTER, CRANK PULLEY, MSD, FUEL PRESS REG, COWL HOOD, WELD WHEELS
14.1@ 98MPH
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OTHER RIDE
67 CAMARO - STREET CAR, BIG BLOCK, PUMP GAS
350TH w/ATI 10", 12-BOLT w/373 GEARS
10.92@125.2 1.55 60FT. ON MOTOR - ET-STREETs w/MUFFLERS

 

Sure does sound like a bad alternator to me.

If you have a volt meter.....

Check the battery voltage with the engine off, it should read approx. 12volts.

Start the engine and check the battery voltage again. It should now be approx 14 to 15 volts.

If it does not rise then you could have a faulty alernator.

Also check the tension on your belt as well. If your belt is loose then it might be slipping enough to the point the battery is not charging.

I just replaced my alternator this weekend. I got lucky though. The bearings went bad on it and it was easy to spot the problem.

 

Best way to check is to start it and unhook the positive terminal if it is the alternator it will die if it runs on then it could be the battery. There also have been alternator problems that come and go which I have had, best bet would be to get it rebuilt or get another.

 

By the way I am pretty sure they should run at 14 volts normally that is what I get at my alt. and at the bat., I have checked this cause I have a bad gauge on the dash.