Charge the battery overnight and have it load tested at a parts store...its free. Or carefully remove the positive (red)cable while the engine is running. If it quits then its your altenator.
A quick way to tell if there might be a problem with an alternator is to remove the positive side battery cable from the battery while the vehicle is idling. If the engine dies, odds are there is an alternator problem.
There is no problem...the problem was the alternator. You have fixed the problem.
you could pull off your positive battery cable if it stalls out then you alternator is the problem
take the car to a repair shop and have them put a battery tester on it. it may be the alternator or the battery the tester will tell
Have a shop load test the battery.
Test the battery with a digital voltmeter. You should get a reading of 12.6 V if the battery is fully charged. If the battery is fully charged then you know the alternator is functioning properly and your problem is more than likely a defective starter.
If you can get the vehicle to your local auto parts store, at no cost they can test the charging system and tell you what the problem is, be it a bad battery or alternator or what ever.
to make a quick check -- start car - disconnect the positive cable at the battery as it is running - if car stalls the alternator is bad if it stays running the battery is probably too weak to hold a charge. (daddmac)
Obviously check the battery. Anyway, if the alternator, battery, and wires connecting them are good the voltage regulator is next on the list.
"Big" Battery Damage Alternator?No, it should not damage the alternator. If this has happened it's probable that the problem is somewhere in the wiring circuit connected to the battery and alternator.
Your alternator is probably rebuilt and not really new. I have had this problem several times and I have bought a new battery and alternator. The alternator keeps your battery charged and powers your electrical system, so even when driving you can lose all power in the car from the alternator draining your battery. Take the battery and alternator to an auto store and they will test both for free. Ask them about the difference in a rebuilt alternator and a brand new one. This is a very common problem.
Possible alternator problem