Bateery or alternator? help!

7th November 2011, 22:16

so basically i went to start my car this morning it was dead, so i bumped it and it fired up fine! went to work, came out of work started it and it fired up fine, left if for a few hours and now it wont start,
last night i left my car off with my music on for about 10 minutes and the battery also died.. i get flickering battery whent booting over 5k revs,
my powersteering,demisters,blowers work fine,

any suggestions? i know most people will say get a multimeter but i simply dont have access to one and cant get my ca anywhere for a free check so i just want any help before i go and get a new battery as i dont want to waste my money!

cheers all, hope this helps, sorry if i havent explained it to well

7th November 2011, 22:18

does it crank?

do the lights work when the engine is off?

7th November 2011, 22:19

it cranks yes, also the lights do work when the engine is off,

7th November 2011, 22:31

just to add, lights are very dim, the windscreen wipers are struggling, the central locking even sounds like its struggling :/, obviously all this points to the battery, im just worried about buying a new one and then the alternator killing that one.. but a few weeks ago my car died after about 3 hours of music parked up so im guessing the alternator must be working its just my battery is completely knackered and has been struggling for the past weeks.. as my clock keeps resetting too!

7th November 2011, 22:43

Check & if needed clean the connections on the alternator.

7th November 2011, 22:59

I would say battery.

easy way to check;

go to co-op, buy a 4 pack of carling.

go to kwik fit, they will do anything round my way for a few tins. they will test the alternator outpt for you. hey presto!

my kwik fit doesnt even flog stuff, they send you to the nearest motor factors then fit it on the side for cans and the odd tenner.