Rep Power: 0

alright here's the deal. I drive my car first thing this morning and it is fine, park it for about 4 hrs and get in and start it again and it is fine again. Well while I'm driving to drop something off I hear a belt squealing pretty loud and it goes on for a little but then goes away, so I think no big deal. Well I get to the next destination and park the car for about 5 mins. Go back and I barely get it to turn over and never ever starts. I get a jump and it is fine all the way home, about 10 mins. Well sits 30mins and then back out again and once again barely turns over and then nothing and I have to get a jump again. What could be the cause of this. Any suggestions are helpful.

 
Rep Power: 0

you alternator could have died and sized (sp?) up. that could cause the belt to squeal, and it may break soon. That would also explane why the bat would have died. It happend to my dads truck last year. the powerstering pump sized, and the belt blew.. so i was going 45 in a F350 towing a trailor with a boat on it, and lost power stering and breaks... i thoguht i was going to die.

 
Rep Power: 0

but if the alternator siezed up wouldn't my power die while driving? Cause after I get a jump I maintain power until I turn the car off. I am wondering if it is just our shitty batteries and if I just get an optima will I be ok. Except for the belt I need to look more closely at that.

 
Rep Power: 360

The alternator may not be completley dead, but on the way out. You may be able to keep a charge on the battery, but the battery may not be maintaining enough amps to turn the car over. Just a thought. You can see if your battery is storing a charge, if it is, then consider a new alternator.

 
Rep Power: 0

ok so if I test the battery and it stores a charge then the alternator is bad so I need another one, where is the best and cheapest place to buy one, and also do I get the same 70-75 amp alternator or should I get a stronger one? If I get a stronger one does it affect my Horsepower in a negative way?

 
Rep Power: 360

I would just do some shopping for one. Napa, or Advanced Auto, maybe Autozone. They should have a cheapo. Honda's OEM one would work good too, but be really expensive. The higher output alternators wont affect your horsepower. They are just made better and pump out more juice. Not necessary though, I would only do it if I were running a really nice stereo system and/or a lot of accessories that take up a lot of power.