Driving with a bad alternator? need help quick
Mar 26, 2010, 07:09 AM
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Driving with a bad alternator? need help quick
11 hours from home. Alternator is dead from what I can see. With jump starts at gas stations, can I make it home freeway driving? I'm pretty sure I know my answer, but I need to ask regardless
Last edited by SnowEvoVIII; Mar 26, 2010 at 07:16 AM.
Mar 26, 2010, 07:45 AM
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yea once the battery dies the car wont jump start anymore if the alternator is bad too. put a multi tester on it when its running if possible.if you get a little over 14volts then you just need a battery and the jump starts should get you home. if it is under 12 volts call AAA. good luck bud
Mar 26, 2010, 08:07 AM
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This is ghetto....ghetto buddy but I've done this before. I put a jump box on my car and just left it on there.....I was able to close the hood(wasn't on an evo) and I was able to get where I was going.....I only went like 5 to 10 miles though. That's a lot further. Towing it would be your best option.
Mar 26, 2010, 08:50 AM
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haha I told you it was ghetto! Just stop at Napa or Autozone or O'Reileys or any parts star and see if they can get you an alternator and let you borrow some tools. Not a hard install.
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Mar 26, 2010, 09:19 AM
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I would say you could go maybe an hour at most with nothing on in the car if that. 11 hours no way. I would just by a new one and put it on. I changed on the side of the road once on my old Z-28. I didn't have a choice has it locked up and wouldn't let me even turn it over.
Mar 26, 2010, 11:12 AM
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Ok here's what you do. Use a power inverter inside the car to plug into cig lighter, plug in your jumpbox to the inverter, hook to the battery, should be good to go.
Just kidding. There's no way you'll make it 11 hours. One battery would die within an hour. Use a generator inside the car! It's gonna be a long way home. If towing it is not an option, drive as far as you can, stop and charge, repeat.
Just kidding. There's no way you'll make it 11 hours. One battery would die within an hour. Use a generator inside the car! It's gonna be a long way home. If towing it is not an option, drive as far as you can, stop and charge, repeat.
Mar 26, 2010, 01:35 PM
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On an 11 hour trip you will spend more time recharging the battery and stopping than it would take to just replace the alternator.
Mar 26, 2010, 02:18 PM
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No way its gonna last 11 hours. I had the same problem with my explorer, but after about 30 mins city driving, all gauges died, everything, and the car was sputtering all over, but just made it home.
And im sure the evo needs a lot more electronics to run properly so..
And im sure the evo needs a lot more electronics to run properly so..