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91 mercury topaz alternator or battery?
Thanks for looking... my car is currently parked permantently as it has a history of dying on me lately. First it died and a connection was corroded at the battery and wire was going bad so we replaced wire and cleaned battery. All was well.
Then car died a month later and we thought it was the battery but the other cable was messed up(yeah i know it should have been fixed last time but there are circumstances i wont explain to save time) so we fixed the cable and had the battery tested. Battery needed charged. after charged, tested good.
Drove next day about 20 minutes away, turned car off to go ins tore, car started, drove to gas station, turned car off, put gas in, car wouldn't start. Had to jump. Got 3/4 way back (15 mins) car died. needed another jump.
Is this the alternator? I have to order parts to have someone come from an hour away to fix and want to make sure its probably the alt before I try.
Issues i have:
1. auto store we can test at is 20 mins away and i can't have someone come jump me the whole way there and back.
2. i dont have a battery/alt tester at home.
also, i'm fixing this so i have htis car for about 3 more months until i am able to get my next one - which will definitely be one of this century.
3 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
next time your car starts and is running on park. remove the negative terminal of the battery. if the engine stops running by itself, replace the alternator. if the car still runs, change your battery and clean all your terminals. if the car is able to run by itself, the alternator is working. oh by the way, turn on your lights and a/c. if the alternator is weak, the engine will definitely turn off.
Source(s): 15 yrs in auto biz - 1 decade ago
This is a 18 year old car. Built to be disposable. Its done. No really I mean whats ur time worth. At least 10 bucks an hour, just imagine how much time and effort you have in this car. I'm cool with fords, I have an F-250 I'm not the person saying "ha ha shoulda bought a honda" 'cause their full of crap. I'm just saying you have a lemon and you deserve better. Put in a few extra hours a week for a better car, you'll love it.
Source(s): Personal Experience - AKfanaticLv 41 decade ago
It's hard to say if it's your battery or alternator without testing the system. Fully charge your battery, then take it the 20 minutes away and have them test battery and alternator for you. You should be able to get back home if you don't use too many accessories.
