First post here btw, but i've been lurking for a while now.

Driving home after being on the highway for about 20 minutes my volt light came on about 20 yards from my driveway, I just figured the battery was dying. I was at home for about 20 minutes then when I left my car died about 30 yards down the street. I had a friend come and jump me, car started fine after the jump. Driving it back to my driveway the car felt like it was running on one cylinder. Giving it lots of gas I made it back to my driveway going about 5-10 mph. Then it died in the driveway. Charged the battery and got it started fine again, but I didn't take the cay out. Now it won't turnover.

I'm thinking it'* not the battery since my car died in the driveway still running after a good jump and charging. Maybe a voltage regulator, but can i replace that myself since it'* build into the alternator?

Almost 100% sure it'* the alternator/ voltage regulator. I've replaced mine twice. And have been told it'* underdesigned. And no don't try to replace the regulator yourself. Buy new or find a reputable rebuilder. mine was rebuilt for 60 bucks.

Classic bad alternator signs.

If the battery was bad, the car would not start.

Obviously, but even a bad battery can be charged to the point of a car tunring over...right?

Not if it suffered damage that caused the sudden failure you described. The battery would have given you 'warnings' that it was going to go.

Jay

Do you mean a BAD battery or a DEAD battery?

Yes, if a battery was getting close to the end of its life, you may be able to charge it enough to start the car only once, even with a good alternator. But a battery with a dead cell will not start the car.

However when the engine is running, if you had the above battery case, the alternator should hold the car at the proper voltage while running. That'* why I believe your alternator is bad.

I belive you are right about the alt. If it wasn't bad it should be able to keep the car running, hoever I had the alternator replacede about 4 years ago and I believe it should last londer that that since I've had so many other problems with this car(which I will mention if I have to, yet none have to deal with the electicical system).

Ah yes, you must not know Bonnevilles.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...pic.php?t=8392

As a general rule of thumb, replace the battery and alternator together. They can kill each other. www.domesticperformance.com has improved alternators for us.

Thanks for all your help guys. Will let you know what it ends up being.