Gasoline is a very perishible substance. Over time, the aromatic components that make gasoline so flamable break down and evaporate. What is left will burn, but not very well, it terms of running an engine. Try adding several gallons of new gas to the tank, and then crank the engine for about 20 seconds, or until it starts. If the engine dies, wait at least 30 seconds before cranking it again. Starter motors get very hot when turning over an engine, and will burn up if used over and over without being allowed to cool off. You also may need to have another vehicle boost the voltage of your battery with jumper cables. Do not change the alternator without having it tested.
Check all earth connections Have the battery heavy discharge tested (Drop tested)
my 05' cavalier has a bad alternator problem its charging the battery a little bit then stops and the little power my battery has is drained by the end of the night. I replaced the alternator twice and the battery but still no difference.
You have an electrical fault in the alternator. Don't drive the car, get this fixed, or you risk a fire.
The alternator is not working properly. Your car will still run off the battery for a little while then when the battery dies the car dies. Check the alternator or take it to autozone and they will check it for you.
It looks like a little red car battery.
Was quoted $500 to replace the Alternator and battery yesterday (May 2009) which seems a little high (they wanted $100 for the battery and $20 to put it in so you can assume $380 parts and labour for the alternator I guess)
First off you posted this in the wrong section. lol Anyway the light usually comes on when the alternator is no longer charging the battery while driving, most likely it means that either the battery has low voltage or your alternator is becoming a little faulty.
Not really. It should only move a little bit. If the alternator is not producing full power at idle, you may have a bad alternator.
Non functioning charging system. Possibly defective battery, alternator, of belt slipping or broken.
1. Pull The cables off the battery. 2. remove the wires from the back of the alternator. 3. losen the belt from the alternator ... it being an 88, i'd imagine you'd do this by losening the bracket that holds the alternator in place 4. put new alternator back on 5. re attach wires to back (to the same place you took them off. It helps to mark them if your memory isn't good) 6. put the belt back on (be sure to get it tight.. but not snap tight. There should be little to no play. It helps if you use a large flat head, or a pry bar to hold the alternator tight if it's the bracket style mentioned above.) 7. re-attach the battery cables 8. start the car
If it runs for a little while then dies it could be your alternator.. If it ticks or just does nothing its either your battery or starter.
The belt is slipping a little when the alternator is working the hardest. (Just after the car starts). The easiest answer is to check the belt and if you see any signs of wear (weather checking - cracks - etc.) replace it. The not so easy answer is that your battery could be weakening causing the alternator t work harder. Have your battery checked and replace if necessary. Leaving a weak battery in will ruin your alternator eventually.