The battery is one year old. When I start the car, it starts but not as good as it should. It does not quit on me and drives fine. The lights on the panel light up as normal. I have had the battery checked by two places and told it is fine. I purchased the battery from Auto Zone and the guy there checked it and said it was fine and suggested it could be the alternator. My question is that I thought that an alternator either worked or didn't work.


Marsha

 

Hi Marsha!
Welcome to the forum!

What part of the planet do you hale from?
The north east perhaps? If so that's the reason...
Its cccccold outside! That's perfectly normal.

Also,
An alternator could have a weak,bad ,failing diode...
Charging is then compromised.. somewhat..until It completely fails..
It should be charging around 14 amps constant...
If it isn't that to could cause a weak cranking battery.
I would recommend having the alternator load tested.. Just to be safe.

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Welcome to the forum!!

 

Welcome to the forum, it could also be your starter, starting to go on you. I had an issue in the fall with mine intermittently not starting, and it was the starter. Just something else for you to check

 

Could be the cold, cars alot of times will start a little slower in the winter due to thicker fluids and the available battery power being a little less.

 

Thank you everyone. I am from Tennessee and we have been hit by an ice storm.


I had the battery checked Saturday but this has been happening for about a week. I am not sure how to check things myself.


I have not been able to take it in to have it checked to see what the problem is due to the weather.


Thank you for the suggestions.

 

welcome to the site

 

Make sure the battery has a full charge (the alternator will not charge it)


Make sure your battery cables are in good shape (not creating too much resistance) and the connections are clean and tight, This includes the ground at the frame/body and the positive on the starter solenoid.


If all that checks out have the starter tested. A tester that can apply load is best since a free wheel type may show the starter is good when in fact it isn't (armature worn) when load is applied.