duckyjp

Ok this is a bit of a long story but i could really use some help. It all started when my air pump started making noise. I drove with it squeaking for awhile and the other day it seized up. I pulled over as soon as i could (about 1 minute) and shut off the car. I unplugged the airpump. I could smell burning rubber from where the pulley had stopped and the belt kept going. It was driving fine w/o the airpump but i had to stop two places on the way home. When i left the second, i drive about a quarter mile and noticed that the lights were on (coolant warning light, 4wabs, oil pressure, etc... but there was no problem with anything. I pulled off at a gas station to shut it down and pop the hood (just to make sure she didn't overheat but the temp guage was normal). Wel when i went to start it again i got nothing. Well, it tried to crank but each time i did it died until it was just a clicking. I got a jump from the tow truck guy who said the battery was probably dead because it wouldn't hold the charge. So i figure i need a new battery because i haven't changed it since i bought it used. Also the past week before that i noticed when starting the car it took about a second longer to turn over. Well I get a jump and go to NTB to get a new battery. They tell me that it's not really dead, but the charging system isn't functioning properly. But the alternator isn't dead either. They tell me they can't tell what it is. Keep in mind that i am driving with the airpump unplugged and the car began to take a little longer to turn over right about when the airpump began going. I did drive the car with the squeaky airpump plugged in for awhile and i'm wondering if that caused the problem. Are the air pump and the alternator run by the same belt? What do i do?What could it be? How can i find out what's wrong and how what do i check for?

duckyjp

No one has had any battery charging problems?

Tim McCreary

Look for a burned wire. Possibly grounding the system. Also remove alternator and have it bench tested. Don't just trust someone hooking it up on the car.

Tim