Power Loss and Pulsing Lights

[blue thunder]

I went to start my car tonight after work and had a few strange things happen. The lights half way came on faded and died. I got a jump start from a co-worker and started home. I noticed the interior lights and headlights were slightly pulsing. At one point I had a CD playing and put on my bright lights on and the radio literally stopped playing until I went back to low beams. After parking car at home I cleaned my battery terminals which had a lot of a powdery substance around the positive terminal. I still could not start the car. Low juice. With the key on and the dash lights on the check engine light was reverberating like I have never seen before. You could hear it. Is my alternator causing this or possibly a whacked out battery. Coincidentally, this was one of the coldest nights so far this winter here. Thanks for any feedback on this so I can plan a course of action.

Mike:)

[Manarius]

I'd say that your alternator is shot. You can go have it load tested at some place like Autozone, but they're probably going to come to the same conclusion.

[Suby Fan]

is your battery light on? if not then its the battery

[Trevor]

I went to start my car tonight after work and had a few strange things happen. The lights half way came on faded and died. I got a jump start from a co-worker and started home. I noticed the interior lights and headlights were slightly pulsing. At one point I had a CD playing and put on my bright lights on and the radio literally stopped playing until I went back to low beams. After parking car at home I cleaned my battery terminals which had a lot of a powdery substance around the positive terminal. I still could not start the car. Low juice. With the key on and the dash lights on the check engine light was reverberating like I have never seen before. You could hear it. Is my alternator causing this or possibly a whacked out battery. Coincidentally, this was one of the coldest nights so far this winter here. Thanks for any feedback on this so I can plan a course of action.

Mike:)

What you report most likely indicates a faulty battery. ---- Jump start required; with high beams on, not sufficient current available; again could not start the car; not enough current available with ignition engaged, and what you are possibly hearing could be the main relay chattering.

[blue thunder]

Yes it was just the battery. I had the alternator checked and it was reading perfect. Just put everything back together with the new battery and belt and it cranked right up. I never had a battery give me these issues so I assumed the alternator. Thanks for all the responses.


Mike:)