Dead battery vs Faulty Alternator?

[dobes]

Hey guys
I have a 98 Vt Exec and lately ive been having some problems with either the battery or the alternator.
First off, the problem occured when i couldnt start my car in the morning. It kept clicking and didnt feel as if it wanted to turn over. Then i left it for a day and tried to start it next morning and this time there was no response. No lights came up nor the radio. So i checked the battery and saw some corrosion and i applied hot water to the terminals and gave it a good clean. I then jump started it and left it idle for 10mins and took it for a drive and it was perfect. Then the next morning i tried and as i turned the ignition, it started to click again.
So yeah, im not sure whats wrong, hoping that you guys could help me out before i go around buying parts etc
Thanks!

[dobes]

Also, when i went to check it after i cleaned the terminals/jump started the car, the trip meter/radio were kind of dim, i think. And when i went to unlock the car with the button it like half opened, i had to use the key to open the door.

[ToMMMaY]

take your battrey into battrey world theyll check it with a meter and see if it can hold charge if it can then its your alternator

[wamboin23]

sounds like either battery or something draining it.

[BlackVXGTS]

Sounds like your alternator is charging OK but your battery is not holding its charge - time for a new battery (note the spelling).

[and3rs]

I would assume it's your alternate on grounds that ecotec alternators fail alot, I've been through about 4 of them now with the average life of them lasting about 2 years... Start your car while holding mode and up on the trip computer, then the first figure that comes up on your display is the voltage i think. keep an eye on the reading, mine stays at 14.2-14.3v and that's with a brand new alternator, switching on a few accessories and it might drop to 14. If your alternator is on it's way out your voltage will constantly drop as your drive along

[dobes]

Thank you for the advice guys, i really appreciate it!

I would assume it's your alternate on grounds that ecotec alternators fail alot, I've been through about 4 of them now with the average life of them lasting about 2 years... Start your car while holding mode and up on the trip computer, then the first figure that comes up on your display is the voltage i think. keep an eye on the reading, mine stays at 14.2-14.3v and that's with a brand new alternator, switching on a few accessories and it might drop to 14. If your alternator is on it's way out your voltage will constantly drop as your drive along

and3rs, my car is currently dead as a rock, the trip meter shows no sign of life. but do you think it would be worth it to jump start it again and spend an hour bringing it back to speed to see if it is the alternator?
I dont know much about cars, but is there any way to check if the alternator is charging the battery while the car is idling? Can i use a multi meter? Or would i have to do your method above?

Thanks!

[pablo]

Easy to check the altenator, with the engine running at a fast idle, hook up your multimeter and it should read around the 13.8 - 14.2 volts on the DC scale. Sounds like you are up for a new battery.

[and3rs]

like pablo said u can test with a multimeter if u have one or you can do the trip computer trick they both give you a readout of what voltage your car is running at. You need a charged battery to do either test though. Simplest thing to do would be to spring for a new battery and watch the voltage on the trip computer as you drive along if it constantly loses power then ur alternator that's stuffed

[dobes]

Went to supercheap today and picked up an 'ultra hi performance' (lol) battery and that seemed to do the trick!
Thanks so much for all your help guys, now i don't have to take the bus everywhere

[Rhin0o8]

i recommend you test any resistance on your main alternator cable to the battery. or else it will drain your new battery again

[wrx884]

yeah make sure ur regulator is doing its job also as it could b part of the reason ur batteries rnt keeping charge.

[gungazza]

my mates vt ,the interior light was not working, when i put a new bulb in it worked fine, then the next day battery flat, put in another battery while the first one getting charged, same thing flat the next day??? no lights or enything on, my mate took out the light bulb and he said that it was hot to touch but was not on ?? could the light be drawing power wile not being on , i know this sounds suss i just talked to my mate and it seems the battery flat again so looks like somethig else drawing power