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everytime i turn on my car the gauges recalibrate...and lately since it got a lot colder, the car seems to struggle, like id hear a bunch of clicks, then a pause and then it turns on with gauges recalibrating. wtf :S anyone know if its the battery going bad or ... the alternator

Sounds like the battery is going.

take it to your local auto parts they should be able to check the charging system

but it's probably the battery.

This happened to me for so long before my battery died. It hung in there for a good while too.

excon wrote:

This happened to me for so long before my battery died. It hung in there for a good while too.

so its defently the battery?

isnt it bad ? like is it gonna damage the alternator somehow ? i know thats an expensive thing to fix

Take it to the autoparts store and have it checked. Then you will know exactly whether its the battery or the alternator or both.

they test it for free at your local autoparts stores.
DO EET NAAOUGH!

A weak battery can eventually damage the alternator, as it has to work harder recharging the battery after starting. In addition, it is going to challenge the voltage regulator to keep the voltage stable. If a battery has less internal resistance, the voltage can go higher than 15 volts, making the regulator work harder to keep it in check. A good battery will help keep the voltage from fluctuating too much.

I know a few ppl that have run a weak battery for extended periods of time, (summer months) replaced it, and the alternator go dead shortly after, then try to blame the shop that installed the battery.

occasional demons wrote:A weak battery can eventually damage the alternator, as it has to work harder recharging the battery after starting. In addition, it is going to challenge the voltage regulator to keep the voltage stable. If a battery has less internal resistance, the voltage can go higher than 15 volts, making the regulator work harder to keep it in check. A good battery will help keep the voltage from fluctuating too much.

I know a few ppl that have run a weak battery for extended periods of time, (summer months) replaced it, and the alternator go dead shortly after, then try to blame the shop that installed the battery.

yah i went to my nearest costco and bought a battery..the car starts up perfectly now but i noticed taht all my dash lights and even day time driving lights flicker..barely noticable but they still flicker..like faintly taht one would have to focus on the lights to notice it...i take it taht the old battery has already dmged the alternator?

You would need to get it tested to know for sure. Flickering could be bad brushes in the alternator, but IDK if you can even get replacement parts for the newer alternators. Or if you can, they may be way overpriced, so you just say screw it and get another alternator.

Like the way they price starter solenoids at 50 to 75% of the cost of a new/reman starter.

Unfortunately, if the regulator is going bad, you have to replace the PCM to fix it. Or figure out how to rewire a 1970-80's electronic VR to the alternator. But IDK if the PCM would have a code for that, to set a CEL

For illustration purposes only, tho they do sell the needed pigtail:
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/volreg.html


As long as the battery light does not come on, I would not worry too much. If it is keeping the PCM happy, it is prolly well within acceptable limits. You may want to put some $ in your savings, but why replace it if you can possibly get a lot more life from it. If it tests OK, then don't sweat it. Unless the flickering drives you off the deep end.