Alternator or Battery?

Lately, seems like my car needs a jump start 2 or 3 days out of the week. Longer it sits, more likely a jump start which leads me to believe the battery is shot.

Then tonite, I was leaving and the car started right up, then i drove maybe a half mile or so and I stopped to pick up some OJ, and as I pull into the spot the car just dies, lights go dim, and stalls. Try to start, nothing, not even a click...jump started it and it went home without any more problems..

Any ideas? I'll probably bring the alternator to get checked one day, unless someone can post how I can check it with a multimeter..

Thanks!

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1987 TC 5 Speed
K&N Cone mounted on the VAM,Ric Gillis Valve

Have you tried cleaning your battery terminals and cables? If it's been more than 3-4 years since you last replaced your battery, I would just go ahead and do it anyways before winter sets in.

Mine did the same thing. My battery was brand new, so i figures either the battery cable or the alternator is shot. I replace all the wiring and connectores....still it died on me. It ended up being the alternator. at Idle it was only charging at 12 volts, but under load it was charging at 17 volts. WAAAY to high... Have the alternator tested, its more than likely your cause.

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87 Tubocoupe, Light Regatta Blue, All Options incl. Leather; 2.5" exaust, Dynamax super turbo mufflers w/3"chrome tips, MSD 6AL, Blaster2 Coil and wires, Homemade adjustable boost valve.
"The stage is set, the orchestra engaged.... it's now time to see if you can dance."

I had my battery go bad, so changed it to a red top Optima.... picked it up at Costco for $100 and had the negative ground cable replaced by my mechanic, did the power cable replacement myself..(its the easiest one) I also put on some brass terminals for a better connection, the factory ones and original aftermarkets suck royally, so i would go with brass terminals.
ThunderChicken P.S. I just went ahead and replaced alternator since i changed everything else in that area, and its pretty easy to do!

Be sure to check the condition of the cables, especially where they go into the terminal connectors to the battery. the wiring often breaks there. Cleaning the grounds would be a great idea. They are just as important as any other connection. There is a list of ground locations in the FAQs

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

My battery has been doing the same exact thing for the past 2 weeks but I barely drive her so I let her sit and I finally took the alt. off and had it tested at 2 places and the alt. is no good.

Originally posted by Thunderbird88:
My battery has been doing the same exact thing for the past 2 weeks but I barely drive her so I let her sit and I finally took the alt. off and had it tested at 2 places and the alt. is no good.

Well it happened again tonite..like 3 or 4 times...as I slow to come to a stop, the CEL is on (bad tps) and the car stalls, after that it won't start...I'll jump it, and it'll be ok. After the 4th time, i headed back home, and of course when i got home, i was able to restart it no problem. Getting the alternator checked out tomorrow....I just got it rebuilt 2 years ago..but if it's dead, 3g alt here I come.

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1987 TC 5 Speed
K&N Cone mounted on the VAM,Ric Gillis Valve