Well, my car won't start. I tried to start it up and it sort of turns over but doesn't start, just sort of grinds to a halt. As I continue trying to start it up, it turns over less and less til I get absolutely nothing, not even a click.

The starter has always made an awful screeching (not squealing) noise on startup previously, but I've never had problems starting up. Lately, it has taken longer and longer for the car to turn over on startup. It slowly turns over and then fires up.

Today, it also stalled once when I came to a stop, but it started okay after that.

So my question is, is this the starter or battery, or maybe alternator? All the other electric items work, but I know a bad battery will power those things even if the car doesn't start. I don't have anyone around here right now who could give me a jump start. I am just trying to quickly figure out what this is.

Oh yeah, and my car was sitting for about an hour when I tried to start it up, and it wouldn't start.

I would appreciate any input on this.

Tommy

If you have a multimeter, then you can perform some simple tests.

To test your battery:

1- hook the multimeter up to the battery while somebody starts the car w/ nothing on (AC, radio, lights, etc.). It should read about 12.1-12.6v as your car is being started. If it reads any lower, then your battery either needs to be charged or replaced. If you charge your battery and the same thing happens, then your battery isn't holding a charge and on its last leg.

To test your alternator:

1- get your car running w/ nothing on and while it's running, hook up the multimeter. It should read between 13-16v. If it reads about 12.6v or less, then your alternator is dead.

Automotive batteries consist of 6 cells, each producing 2.1v. In series, they produce 12.6v. If your battery charge was low, then the amperage draw would cause voltage to drop dramatically. When your alternator runs, it produces voltage higher than 12.6v to charge the battery. I believe typical alternators will output around 16v.

Michael.