Alternator or Battery?
 

ugh man i hate this crap.

So, my honda's battery was replaced about 3 years ago. it is an Autolite battery. No frills.

got in my car today and i couldnt turn it over. No power. even that "door is open beep" is weak as hell.

I jumped it off the wifes car and drove it into work, about a 25 minute drive on the highway, heater worked, wipers worked, however every time i turned on the stereo it would come on for a few minutes then shut off, i figured the battery just did not have any juice and needed to charge so i left it off.

i got to work, 1/2 hour ago, i ran out to try to start the car and no juice again.

i really hope it is the battery, because i have to pop the ball joint and pull the axle to replace the alternator which will run me at LEAST 100 bucks

anyways, i dont have anyway to get the battery checked out. im at work.

Anybody want to take a guess as to which one?

if it was the alternator my heater blower shouldnt be working right?

also i do have a voltmeter, ive been reading that i can check the alternator by making sure its output is between 13.5 and 14v with the engine running. Do i check this at the battery or at the alternator?

check the alternator output at the battery...engine @ idle should see 12.5 to14.5v between the battery terminals. 12.5 is kinda weak though, might indicate alternator issues.

A typical automotive battery last about 4 years...if all the other electrical systems are in working order at least....any deficiency there, and the battery life gets shorter.

You could need both an alternator and battery. Or you might just need a part for your alternator, along with a new battery.

If I am having charging issues or a dead battery, and that battery is three years old...I would replace the battery either way.

My alternator just went out today, it was pretty weird. I could drive at 40- 45mph just fine, but if I went above that for a few minutes then the battery light would come on. Ive had the same stock battery now for almost 6 years.

Could be either as we need to know what the voltage is with engine at idle. After a drive the bad should be at 12.0-12.7v engine off and 13.1 -14.2v at idle. Remember to inspect your wiring Pos Neg for corrosion inside the wiring, around the terminals on the batt plus ground to frame and alternator. Sometimes wiring acts like a wick and absorbs contaminates inside the wire. I always get an optima batt as it completely sealed. Wish you were around here as I have a new charged batt sitting in the garage that I would of gladly given to you for free.

Bad battery. if the battery was weak allready and you jumped it then the car was running off the alt. If the alt was bad and the battery was weak the battery would die and so would the car with no way to charge it.