Well I was leaving my friends house tonight getting ready to go to work, unlocked my car using my keypad, tried to start my car and got nothing. No lights or anything, key pad wouldnt work or anything;just completely dead. I have an optima redtop so I didnt think my battery, but tried giving it a jump with a jumpbox anyways. After a minute or so with it hooked up, the car started and drove, then my ABS and BRAKE lights came on. After I shut the car off, it definitely wont start again without the jumpbox. The lights make me think alternator, but could it be the starter possibly? Im not sure if a bad starter would cause it to be completely dead, or cause the idiot lights to come on while driving.
What does this sound like? The alternator or the starter? I know I can take parts to autozone or wherever and have them tested, but seeing if someone could answer this simply.
you can rule out the starter since it starts when you jump it. If it was your alt. it wouldnt have stayed running since your battery was drained. just because its a red top doesnt mean its invincible. get a jump and take it to the parts store where they can check the battery and alt for free.
Sounds like both a battery and alternator, but I would get them tested
P.S. the reason your ABS light is on suddenly, the control module needs 12V to run, if it doesnt have 12V it wont run properly, hence the reason your light is on
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Yea Ive never had problems with a starter, but my friend said it could still be that but I wasnt sure. I actualy have my stock battery that came with the car, Ill throw that in and try it out. I figured the alternator because with my old car my abs and trac light came on when my alternator went bad, and the car died while driving. This time I only drove about a mile so it stayed running; my lights didnt get dim or anything but my interior lights were flickering when I was getting in the car.
Ill try out my stock battery, and if not Ill have to get another alternator. Im glad this happened now though cause Im off work until Friday haha. Thanks for the help guys.
Well, I put my stock battery back in and it started fine. Took my optima up to test it, and turned out it was dead. I got a free redtop though, so it turned out to be a good day haha.Ill see if I still have any problems from the alternator but I drove for a while and everything seems fine.
Make sure to test the alternator very soon. If its not putting out enough you will slowly kill your new battery. I agree with Bob S, your symptoms are typical of a bad alt that over time killed the battery. A simple way, just put a voltmeter on the battery. Make sure that running it is getting more than 14 volts. Make sure to load up the accessories, blower fan, lights, rear defog - turn everything on and make sure the alt can keep the volts up high enough to keep charging under high loads.
