Hey guys, I was in my camaro doin' about 50 on a small highway. I went to accelerate and felt the car stall and saw my RPMs drop so I eased her over to the side of the road. My car has stalled in the past, particularly when it's cold and starts rough (it's carb), but usually I can just start her up again.

However, I tried starting the engine and it wouldnt start. It would cough once, then the battery would completely die. I had my key set to power and had the music and fan on. When I turned the key to ignition, all of the above die immediately.

I got a friend of mine to come by and help me jump start my car, since I assumed it was a matter of not recievin' enough juice from the battery. After charging the battery for a minute or so, my car started. I drove it for about a hundred yards and then as soon as I let go of the accelerator, she stalled out again. We tried to jump start her again, but the second time she refused to start entirely.

I have been having some trouble with my starter and though maybe the starter is malfunctioning, but my instinct is leaning towards the alternator. I was just wondering if you guys think this is a pretty black and white situation and its a sure bet of being one thing, or if there are plenty of causes for this. I figured if I could get a pretty good lead on the problem I might be able to fix it myself, if not, off to the mechanic she goes.

Thanks everyone,
G

 

If it's dying while driving, then the starter would have nothing to do with it. Get the alternator and the battery tested and work from there.

 

Usually if it's the alternator then you would notice it beforehand. But mine did the same thing when I first bought it and it was the alternator.

When you had it running, what did the voltmeter read? If it read halfway then it probably isn't the alternator but if it was reading pretty low like 8 or slightly above then that's your problem.

 

sounds like an bad alternator to me. when u jumped the car u charged the battery enough to power the starter and the accessories for a little while. since the battery isnt being charged it will shut down soon.

 

Sounds good. Thats what logic led me to believe. And yes, the meter was pretty low when it was failing to start, and then when the jumpers gave me some power, it was at the half-level. Alright, I'm searching for alternators as we speak. I'm gonna try to do the job on my own. Anyone have a tutorial on replacing the alternator, just for confidence and reference?

Thanks a lot guys.