Question about car dying.

[Deggy]

My girlfriends Escort Zx2, idk what year...anyways, we were on the east side last night and the car's interior lights started to dim and the battery light came on. The car soon sputtered and died. Tried to start it back up, and it doesn't crank over. Jumped it, and it started right up, just to die right away when it was taken off the jumper cables. I'm assuming its the battery took a shit, or the alternator did. Both the alternator and the battery look like they are pretty old. The girlfriend said at no other times before last night did the battery light come on.

Any advice or should I just take out the battery and alternator and have them both tested to see which is bad? Or just replace both since they are both old?

[michelle]

I'd replace both because of the time of year and age of both parts. Both are pretty vital and it's better to replace them now then when it is 5* outside.

My Taurus' factory battery died two years ago on the first bad snow day and I wasn't a happy camper to even replace something as simple as a battery in the cold weather.

[Car Guy]

The alternator puked out and then the electrical system ran off the battery's charge until there was nothing left. The last year for the ZX2 was `03 and if the battery is original I'd replace it if at all possible. If $$$ is an issue and the battery tests good after a complete charge it might be OK but the approaching cold weather will have the final say on that. It all depends if she wants to take that chance when it's 10* outside......






.

[Deggy]

I told her to just replace it all. I guess she went and bought a new battery and alternator today. I will be putting them in tomorrow.

Thanks for the input guys!

[Car Guy]

Thanks for the input guys!

Your welcome but I don't think Michelle has outdoor plumbing......