Died suddenly and not starting

SOURCE: My Chevy blazer wouldn't start mad a clicking

this is one of two problems (maybe both) ...
1. The battery has been fully discharged before, preventing it from being able to hold a charge properly. This can be tested at a Sears Automotive Center. If the battery is no good, get a replacement and you should be fine (at least for a while). If you are going to go to Sears, have them run a full electrical diagnostic -- if there is something draining your battery while the car is not in use changing the battery will only hide the problem for a few months until the new battery fully discharges, and the same issue with resurface.
2. Your alternator is not charging the battery. It might be pumping out electricity to the wiring that it is connected to, but the charge may not be getting all the way to the battery. Sears can also check this with their diagnostic tools, and should be able to locate and repair the problem for you. Unfortunately, without a VERY expensive diagnostic machine, it is very hard to tell exactly where the problem is occurring .. so taking it in to a shop is probably your best bet.

SOURCE: car wouldn't start, jumped car.now

Chances are that you have a faulty alternater. Have it tested.

Michael Anderson

• 799 Answers
• Posted on Jun 24, 2011

SOURCE: truck won't start. I checked

Hi,
I would suspect the alternator also, but I would check the recharge voltage before taking it off. You will require a digital multimeter. If you dont have one, you can get a cheap one at WalMart for about $12. With engine running, multimeter set to 20 volts DC, hold red lead to POS and black lead to NEG on battery. Your voltage reading should be 13.6-14.4 volts. Lower than 13 volts, you are not recharging correctly, but this could also be bad or corroded wiring, so check the voltage from the large wire (red lead) on back of alternator to ground. (Negative on battery and then to alternator to bracket bolt at alternator). If you get a good reading of 13.6-14.4 volts, could be a bad battery cable or corroded / loose connection in wiring. If your alternator checks OK, your battery may be failing. You can have it load tested free at Autozone and WalMart. Just because a battery reads 12+ volts, does not mean it can hold a charge with enough amperage to start your motor for an extended period of time. Running your battery very low or dead can cause it to fail like that. Also, batteries are usually due for replacement at 3-5 year intervals. They dont last forever.
Well, run some checks and let us know how you do. If you cant isolate the problem using those checks, reply and we can try a different route.
Thanks, Mike

SOURCE: I went to start my

first you half to determine if the alternater is working. you do his by jumping the car and while its running take of the neg cable off to the car if it dies then you know the alternater is not working properly,
if it stays running you know you have a electricalen short you half to trace down