Alternator & battery life

[AnalBumCover]

I've got a 1999 Honda Accord Coupe LX V6, and my alternator just went out on me this morning as I was driving in to work. I work 20 miles from my house, and about that same distance from my trusty service center.

I haven't changed the battery in the 5 years I've had the car, and I've known for a while that I've been due for a new battery... but have just been too lazy to replace it.

I'm getting off work early to take the car to the shop. I'm putting the over/under at 14 miles at which my battery uses up its last few ounces of juice and my car goes kaput.

Any takers?

[JeeberD]

If you get the car started it should keep running even if it runs out of juice, right? You won't be able to start it back up, though...

[FrogMan]

well it may stall at a red light or about, I'd guess. You need a tiny bit of a spark to keep the engine going, don't you?

So, you say the alternator went out on the way in this morning and you think you'll be able to get 14 more miles. No way, gotta take the under. I'm thinking you may even have trouble starting your car... Good luck though!

FM

edit: typo

[Radii]

I'll take the under on that as well.

[Fonzie]

I managed to do 16 miles in a similar circumstance (alternator belt broke, old battery). I'll take the over, just to provide some moral support.

[AnalBumCover]

This isn't looking too promising. I need my car to get to the UCLA/Wash St. game tomorrow. :(

[AnalBumCover]

I managed to do 16 miles in a similar circumstance (alternator belt broke, old battery). I'll take the over, just to provide some moral support.Thanks Fonzie :)

[JeeberD]

Interesting. I once made a very long drive (El Paso to Abilene, TX) and I stopped off at my work to check my schedule before I headed home. When I tried to leave, the truck wouldn't even attempt to turn over. I got a buddy to jump me, and when he was doing that I realized that the alternator cable was loose. So I re-attached it, and after the drive home I was fine. The thing is, my truck apparently had no juice in it (since it didn't even bother trying to turn over) but I had no issues at all on the drive to Abilene. Was it because I didn't have to idle at all? Or was I just lucky?

By the way, cars are nowhere near an area of expertise for me...

[Desnudo]

Interesting. I once made a very long drive (El Paso to Abilene, TX) and I stopped off at my work to check my schedule before I headed home. When I tried to leave, the truck wouldn't even attempt to turn over. I got a buddy to jump me, and when he was doing that I realized that the alternator cable was loose. So I re-attached it, and after the drive home I was fine. The thing is, my truck apparently had no juice in it (since it didn't even bother trying to turn over) but I had no issues at all on the drive to Abilene. Was it because I didn't have to idle at all? Or was I just lucky?

By the way, cars are nowhere near an area of expertise for me...

The alternator recharges your battery while you are driving. And as long as the engine is running and the alternator is working, you don't use battery power as the alternator converts engine power to electrical power that runs your lights, radio, heater, etc..

[FrogMan]

Interesting. I once made a very long drive (El Paso to Abilene, TX) and I stopped off at my work to check my schedule before I headed home. When I tried to leave, the truck wouldn't even attempt to turn over. I got a buddy to jump me, and when he was doing that I realized that the alternator cable was loose. So I re-attached it, and after the drive home I was fine. The thing is, my truck apparently had no juice in it (since it didn't even bother trying to turn over) but I had no issues at all on the drive to Abilene. Was it because I didn't have to idle at all? Or was I just lucky?

By the way, cars are nowhere near an area of expertise for me...
The bolded part is very true for me too, and I based what I said on experience too, as my alternator also died on me once, on the commute from work to home, which is about 20 miles of country road, and about a mile of city streets, a couple of traffic lighst a few stops and such. I kept revving the car at every red light I stopped, for fear of it stalling, and it did stall in the last curve, about in front of my driveway and I let it go on it's own power, or lack thereof, barely making it in the driveway, with the engine off. No need to tell you, I was unable to start it back up and had to get it towed the next morning to get it fixed...

FM

[JeeberD]

Exactly. So if ABC gets his car started this afternoon, he shouldn't have to worry about it dying on him until he cuts the engine, correct?

[FrogMan]

well, his alternator is dead, so the battery will use every little bit it has to create the fire in the spark plugs, when it's dead too, what will happen? I'm simply thinking, the spark won't happen all from itself, will it?

I'm thinking that even if he keeps on driving, at some point the engine would probably stop...

One thing's for sure, ABC. It would probably be safe to have your spark plugs changed after you get your alternator fixed. All that bad fires will probably cause them to get all black and not work as effectively. I know they recommended to me that I change my spark plugs after my alternator went out the last time, and I had driven for a little while...

FM

[dacman]

Jeebs -- your truck was probably old enough that most critical systems (ignition, fuel pump) were mechanical.

A 99 Accord has electronic fuel injection, an electric fuel pump, and an ignition module (read: small computer) that all need electricity to keep operating, an without an alternator, they'll eventually run the battery down to nothing and the car will cease running. I'd give it about 25 highway miles or ~1 hour at idle.

[JeeberD]

OK, that would explain it then. I was driving a '77 Chevy POS truck at the time... :)

[AnalBumCover]

I just hope I have enough juice in my 5-yr-old battery to keep whatever vital electrical accessories I need to get me where I need to go. This morning, my radio kept shutting off whenever I hit the brakes or used the turn signal. Looks like I'll be singing to myself during this commute.

Will a jump help before I drive off?

[Desnudo]

I just hope I have enough juice in my 5-yr-old battery to keep whatever vital electrical accessories I need to get me where I need to go. This morning, my radio kept shutting off whenever I hit the brakes or used the turn signal. Looks like I'll be singing to myself during this commute.

Will a jump help before I drive off?

Yes.

[dacman]

A caveat however -- alternator's rarely go out completely unless they do something like sieze up, so if the pulley is still moving, it's likely the alternator is still generating SOME power, even if it's not near enough. Just how much may play a significant role in how long you could keep it running.

[dacman]

Will a jump help before I drive off?
A "charge" would help even more. Let the other person's vehicle run while the jumpers are connected to yours while yours is still off -- it'll charge up the battery.

You definately want a jump when you start your car as nothing uses up power more or more quickly.

[Fonzie]

I'm thinking that even if he keeps on driving, at some point the engine would probably stop...

I can confirm that this is what'll happen, as this happened to me in an older vehicle I used to have. The alternator was dead (although I didn't know it) and the car was running off battery power until the battery gave up. Not only did the engine die while driving down a busy road, but everything that requires electricity died (power steering, power brakes, etc.) which made the dead rolling vehicle very difficult to control.

Just FYI.

[dacman]

Power steering and brakes usually run off their own pump (mechanical) or the vacuum pump so as long as the engine keeps running, they'll work just fine. Some cars do have electronic asisst, so if your engine were to die for some odd reason while driving an you still had a good battery -- they'll still work to some degree. No engine and no battery is about the only scenario that will result in an "muscle power" steering and brakes situation.

[Cap Ologist]

Your best bet is to try to get somewhere to get it fixed tonight. Also, don't use the radio, ac, etc on your way drive. I think they'll just drain the battery.

[AnalBumCover]

Well, I'm off soon to take it to the shop. My plan, charge up the battery before I drive off, rev the engine while idle so I wont stall, and keep the radio/heater off so I don't drain the battery. All the while singing loudly to keep myself company in the silent car.

I'll update you when I can. Thanks everyone. Wish me luck!

ABC

[Franklinnoble]

Check to make sure the battery posts/cables are clean and firmly seated. A loose battery cable can cause a lot of these problems.

[gstelmack]

My Diesel Rabbit made it over an hour with no alternator (belt broke). No lights or anything, but that diesel just kept humming...

[JeeberD]

All the while singing loudly to keep myself company in the silent car.

Good luck. Make sure you sing "Sound of Silence" or "Pianoman", OK?

[stkelly52]

I would say that this goes without saying, but earlier you said that the radio kept going off this morning as you drove in. Keep your radio, lights, heater and everything else off as you drive home.

[Buzzbee]

Good luck. Make sure you sing "Sound of Silence" or "Pianoman", OK?
I heart Jeeber.

[sterlingice]

This belongs on the Dynasty Boards :D

*gets popcorn and waits to see what happens*

SI

[AnalBumCover]

I traveled 15 miles before I finally broke down. :mad: (which BTW, covers the O/U) ;)

Luckily I traveled far enough that the remaining distance from that point to the auto shop was within AAA's seven-mile tow radius. I didn't have to pay any additional mileage fee.

Cost of new alternator and labor: $140

And yes, I did "sing us a song, you're the piano man"

[Airhog]

Should have done it yourself, Alternator is the easiest part under the hood to change.

[bbor]

Should have done it yourself, Alternator is the easiest part under the hood to change.

Air filter is easier :D

[Fonzie]

I traveled 15 miles before I finally broke down. :mad: (which BTW, covers the O/U) ;)

WOOHOO! Pay up, suckers! :D

[sterlingice]

Well, it worked out ok and that's what matters.

SI

[JeeberD]

And yes, I did "sing us a song, you're the piano man"

Excellent job. You've done FOFC proud...