Battery Alternator Troubleshooting Quesitons
 

I am having some battery and potential alternator problems I want to trouble shoot.

1. Went to start the car in 90ish degree F weather and the battery wouldn't turn the engine. Clicking sound when trying to crank, but dash lights working.

2. Jumped the car and the alternator was charging about 14.5 volts.

3. Drove away and the dash lights started blinking a bit and the radio would loose it's station setting. After seeing this, I remembered over the past month or so, the radio would loose it's setting at random.

4. Prior to jumping as per above, looked at the battery and found it to be low on fluid down to where the top of the cores were visible. Refilled with water.

What's going on with my car? Is the battery just shot? Is the alternator putting out to much and boiling out the battery fluid? Is the alternator shot?

Right now, I've got the battery on a charger to see if it will take and hold a charge before I go out and buy another. If it will charge and hold, maybe it's not the battery.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Bill

Re: Battery Alternator Troubleshooting Quesitons