So I drive around for a while.. Then decide to stop at the grocery store and pick some stuff up.. Now before this, I had maybe been driving around for maybe 20 minutes or so.. So anyways, I come back out, hop in the Vette, turn the key, and all I hear is this annoying clicking.. The car won't turn over.. Dead battery? New starter? I'm really don't know much about cars, but I'm ready to learn, help me out.. What's the problem!?

-Alex

 

Most likely a dead alternator, you were probably running the engine off of the battery on the way to the store, and it is now low enough that it won't turn the starter. If you do replace the alternator, drive it a while and then check the battery. When the alternator goes, and especially if the voltage regulator goes, it often stresses the battery enough that the battery will have a short life as well.

bill.

 

okay, so I could need a new alternator.. Sounds a little more pricey than I can afford right now, but I suppose I have no choice..

Update: Jumped the car, drove it back home, sitting in the garage now waiting for maintenance..

 

Jump it and drive over to Auto Zone and they will test the battery for you. At least that will be one thing out of the way. They can probably test the Alt. also.

 

sounds like the alternator but could be battery and alternator, have them both checked but don't try to charge a dead or very low battery with your new alternator.

 

Here's a test we ol' guys use, back in the mountains.
Charge your battery, or get a jump, andstart the car. Then disconect one of the battery cables, at the battery. If the car keeps running, the alt. is O.K.! Now, your lookin' at a new battery, instead.

 

You can also put a volt meter on the battery and see what it reads then start the car and take another reading at the battery then rev up the motor slightly and take a third reading .If the alt. is working the second 2 readings will be higher than the first around 13.5-14.5 volts. If you are not getting that voltage then the alt.is hooped. The battery is possibly hooped too.You will need to get a load test done on it.Most shops will do that for free. Any good shop will do all this testing for you for no charge.Good luck.Talk at ya later.