I think my electrical system blew up.

[SROL]

This morning I was headed to school when my radar detecter started going crazy. That's usual for that area so I just ignored it, then it started turning on and off spastically so I just unplugged it. Immediately my radio started doing the same thing, so I turned it off. My engine started idling funny so I turned around to go home. I plopped it in Neutral at all the stops and feathered the gas to prevent any stalls that might occur. I noticed that my transmission was being "chunky" when it changed gears (chunky meaning having a hard time changing gears). My windshield wipers were going so slow, they acted like they were covered in ice.

I pulled into my driveway and made sure to find a nice parking spot where I wouldn't have to move my car for a day or two. Just as I suspected, it won't start. When I turn the key, it makes that Popping noise from the starter like it doesn't have enough battery juice. I just got a new battery a month ago and did not leave my lights on the previous night.

What do you guys think happened to my car? I'm pretty sure I know, but I want to see what you have to say before I put any ideas in your heads.

[pinoyesv6]

have you opened up the hood? checked your electrical connections? checked the fuses?

[SROL]

I haven't checked anything yet, it's really freakin cold and rainy out there. I'll be checking to make sure my battery still has a good connection and pulling all the fuses around noon (might be warmer then). But I have a feeling I won't find anything.

[SROL]

Ok, I checked all my connections and fuses. Nothing was loose and the fuses were fine. Any suggestions?

[pinoyesv6]

can you listen to the radio when the car is in acc mode?

[SROL]

Yes I can.

[pinoyesv6]

have you tried jump starting the car?

[ChikagoGTZ]

Double check your flux capacitor as well, this is a very common problem.

[FRCFD6]

sounds like your alternator is about to take a crap

[SROL]

Yep. I'm thinkin my alternator died. Hence the battery not staying charged, my accessories not working when the car was running, and now the starting problem. It even coincides with the funky idling. The only problem is that I don't have anything to test it with which is why I was posting the symptoms hoping somebody else came to the same conclusion.

If it might be something else, let me know before I end up buying a new alternator by the end of the day.

Thanks for your help so far.

[FRCFD6]

Yep. I'm thinkin my alternator died. Hence the battery not staying charged, my accessories not working when the car was running, and now the starting problem. It even coincides with the funky idling. The only problem is that I don't have anything to test it with which is why I was posting the symptoms hoping somebody else came to the same conclusion.

If it might be something else, let me know before I end up buying a new alternator by the end of the day.

Thanks for your help so far.

take the alternator out and bring it to autozone. they,ll gladly check it out and see if it charges correctly

[Donovan]

damn.. if it is the alternator , your lucky.

[little blue]

here check this and make sure it is fluxing

[Donovan]

heh wtf

[little blue]

Double check your flux capacitor as well, this is a very common problem.

that is a picture of a flux capacitor, what don't you have one in your car, cause mine is in the trunk.

[theblackpearl]

damn.. if it is the alternator , your lucky.

yeah thats for damn sure man, just hope thats alll that it is. good luck with that.

[SROL]

here check this and make sure it is fluxing

Yeah, it's fluxing. I just replaced it the other day. My old one was getting a little worn out. I got a carbon fiber one to replace it with so now it looks better and goes faster.

take the alternator out and bring it to autozone. they,ll gladly check it out and see if it charges correctly

Good idea. I didn't know Autozone could check that. Thanks a lot guys.

damn.. if it is the alternator , your lucky.

yeah thats for damn sure man, just hope thats alll that it is. good luck with that.

So, what else could it be? Something seriously wrong with the electrical system that would require me to rip everything out and start over again?

[Donovan]

damn.. if it is the alternator , your lucky.

yeah thats for damn sure man, just hope thats alll that it is. good luck with that.

havent heard of any "whole electrical' systems going up..but alot of fuses definetly

[bronxbombr]

Your Altenator is taking a shit on you.

[FRCFD6]

its not fuse related....sounds like an alternator or a bad ground somewhere...