When I went to start my car this morning it tried to start for about a second and then started clicking. I thought I left something like a light on or something and then called someone to start it with jumpers. Well, got to work today and just had lunch and now getting the same thing. It seems that within the 30min it takes to get to work that the battery would have charged. Anyway, I am thinking that the alternator has gone out. Do they noramlly give a warning before going out? Whats that cost to have replaced? 2002 Volkswagen VR6 thanks
½«gumwrapper2006-06-06T20:25:12Z
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Check system in the order shown below. No light on the dash came on?? Do not jump to conclusion that alt. is faulty. A waste of a lot of money if alt. not the problem and you replace it first.
1)poor battery cable connection 2)short which is causing battery to drain when car is off 3)battery bad 4)starter faulty 4)faulty alternator
Check the battery post first, make sure that they are clean. Next , if you are fortunate enough to have a Multi Meter. Check to see what your battery voltage is, With the engine off you should read 12.5v dc. With the engine on, 13.5v - 14.0v. No meter, go to AutoZone they will check it for free with the battery still in the car. They should let you know that the batt and alt. is good. I am with you, 30 min of driving should have charged you up. But remember even if the battery is hot as fire, dirty or loose terminals will cause the starter to click, click,click. Note after all is checked, the starter may have a dead spot. You can check this by having someone turn your key to start, and if you can reach it, whack on the starter with a hammer.
the alternator is probably ok-especially if the vehicles drives for 30 minutes after just "jumping it"a faulty alt. would most likely not provide enough voltage to power the vehicles electrical systems and get you to work....sounds like you may have a parasitic draw on the battery after the car is shut off-a malfunctioning control component in one of the the vehicles subsystems--give the battery a good charge and then disconnect the battery when you park it for the night-if the next morning after reconnecting it the car starts ok-then you can be fairly certain its a parasitic draw--which can be diagnosed by a vw professional--good luck.
For some reason your battery is dead or, at least, has lost its charge, Try charging the battery overnight with a charger. If it takes a charge, then I would be very suspicious of the alternator. If it does not take the charge, you may simply need a new battery.