waldenp

Three weeks ago my car lost cruise control, power streering, speedo, and gained a check engine and battery charge light. I replaced the alternator and battery. The car ran perfectly for three weeks, until last night. The same things popped up but then the ABS light appeared, ebrake light, maint req, seat belt light then the car quickly lost all gauges, lights, and electrical components. The car died and the new alternator and battery are dead. Any thought? Could this have been a defective alternator, or a more serious electrical problem? I appreciate any help.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

It sounds like you have a more serious electrical problem. You could have got a defective alternator and I would start with that since it should still be under warranty. Try scanning the car to see if there are any codes also.

anibis

I would start with the alternator too, the reman alternators from parts stores aren't that great anymore. I had a Duralast from AZ last about 500 miles.

ezone

2 things:

Sounds like the alternator quit charging for SOME reason, and ran the battery down. Could be wiring, fuse, PCM, belt, or a bad alternator, or something else....
Pony up the coin for a factory alternator or put up with cheapzone problems. The cars don't seem to like cheapo remans at all.

If someone didn't get the ALTERNATOR BOLTS TIGHT it can cause other damage.
Loss of alternator grounding can cause system overvoltage problems, and electronics don't handle that very well.

SpdySylvrEX

also what could have happened is when your initial alt died, it took the battery with it...Then when you put the new alt in, it was working so hard to keep the battery running it fried itself out again, has happened to me before...

kal1fornia

he said he replaced the battery though so that couldn't be it