Here's the story: I've been driving my '85 280SE for a while now with no problems. Haven't noticed any problems lately aside from a possible slow coolant leak (not even sure the coolant came from my car as it does not overheat).
Anyway, I drove the car to work this morning with no problems. When I went home for lunch, I noticed it had a somewhat weaker start but it still started right up. On the way home, I noticed the radio would cut itself out any time I turned on some electronic (turn signal, brake lights, etc). It would also sporadically cut out and turn itself back on.
I stopped for gas and the car was running fine. When I tried to restart it, though, nothing. Zip. Zilch. Completely dead battery. I got someone to jump me off and it ran OK (though I had the radio and a/c off) all the way home. I turned it off and tried to start it again but nothing. Nada. Enough juice to power the battery light but nowhere near enough to crank the engine.
So... do I have a dead battery or a dead alternator?
I have no idea how old the battery is... it came in the car when I got it. Eyeballing it s...
I have no idea how old the battery is... it came in the car when I got it. Eyeballing it says that it's pretty old, but it doesn't have any stickers so I can't say for sure.
if you had a volt meter, you could check that yourself. If your battery looks old, replac...
if you had a volt meter, you could check that yourself. If your battery looks old, replace it. Most don't do anymore good after 6 years. Even then, you're pushing it. While you are replacing it, might as well check the voltage reading of the alternator. Good luck.
Re: if you had a volt meter, you could check that yourself. If your battery looks old, replac
Quote:
if you had a volt meter, you could check that yourself. If your battery looks old, replace it. Most don't do anymore good after 6 years. Even then, you're pushing it.
It might be that old... would a dead battery with a good alternator cause my radio to cut in and out-- as if it weren't getting enough power?
Also, is the alternator an expensive fix in these cars?
Probably not enough juice to power up everything. But I understand the job of the battery...
Probably not enough juice to power up everything. But I understand the job of the battery is to start the car, after that, the alternator takes over to supply power to everything in the car. Correct me if I am wrong.
[quote]
Here's the story: I've been driving my '85 280SE for a while now with no problems. Haven't noticed any problems lately aside from a possible slow coolant leak (not even sure the coolant came from my car as it does not overheat).
Anyway, I drove the car to work this morning with no problems. When I went home for lunch, I noticed it had a somewhat weaker start but it still started right up. On the way home, I noticed the radio would cut itself out any time I turned on some electronic (turn signal, brake lights, etc). It would also sporadically cut out and turn itself back on.
I stopped for gas and the car was running fine. When I tried to restart it, though, nothing. Zip. Zilch. Completely dead battery. I got someone to jump me off and it ran OK (though I had the radio and a/c off) all the way home. I turned it off and tried to start it again but nothing. Nada. Enough juice to power the battery light but nowhere near enough to crank the engine.
So... do I have a dead battery or a dead alternator?
[99% a dead battery. An old battery can give up it's ghost in an instance. The charging system dumps all the power in to the battery with one or more shorted cells and has not enough left to sustain the electrical equipment, like radio, blower, etc.]
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