Dead alternator or battery?
 

Hey guys,
I have a 2006 cobalt as supercharged and I'm having some issues with the battery or alternator.

I went out to start it like any normal day and it was dead. Nothing. Then I jumper her and she ran for the hour drive I have it. I figured it should have charged up.

As soon as I shut it off after the drive I noticed there was no power instantly.

I had to jump it again to get home. I'm curious if my battery is dead or anything else? I don't think the battery is that old tbh, it looks pretty good.

Thank you!

If you have a multimeter, the battery should read around 12.6 when the car isnt running. If thats ok, start the car and then check the battery again with the multimeter it should be around 14 with a healthy alternator.

Unfortunately, I do not have this equipment. I would need jumped to start it again.

Well you could buy a new battery in hopes that its just the battery. But if that doesnt change anything your gunna need an alternator aswell. How do the terminals look? Any acid on top? Are the cables in good shape?

My car was doing this. It was the battery. Swapped it out and its been fine for over a month now.

A little bit. The wires look solid. I think ima switch my brothers car battery to mine and see if it works.

It needs a deep charge. The alternator won't do that. Put it on the charger

I just had the battery checked. They said it was okay. 27% they said?

The fact that it ran after being boosted and didn't immediately die, means the alternator is fine and it's a battery issue. Don't continue to boost off and drive or you will end up killing the alternator too.

It's the battery, replace it.

I agree with everyone. Most everyone. If someone tells you to grab a multi meter to check you battery just go into "waa waa" mode. You know, the sound women make on bullshit rants about crap and your not really listening. If you jump the car and it runs and you can remove the positive cable from the battery and it still runs while idling then it's the battery. If it dies its the alternator. Period, end of discussion. Nothing left to talk about. Good luck.

buy a mutimeter. they are only 10 bucks for a cheap one

Oh.. Well this last Monday Tuesday and Wednesday the weather was below 0. That could have damage the battery?

100% the battery. Replace it before your alternator goes. Go to a national battery, ask about their "economy" it's a $40 optima with a 1 year warranty. I bought one last month and it started everyday, sub zero temps and needing an oil change.

Well that was unnecessary. Just trying to help.

happened to me a while ago with my mazda. my vote is battery. don't let the voltages fool you though. my battery read fine but still wouldn't start the car because it had no amperage..

easiest thing is it try another battery and test voltage output from the alternator.

Well here's an update.

I had the battery charged then the alternator, battery and ignition checked. Everything was normal and the car ran fine for a few days..

I went out the other day after she's been sitting in some snow and cold for a couple days to try and return a movie and she won't run.

The car will turn on then bogg out within 5 seconds.

I do not know a lot about cars but.. I have an injen cai and my Maf sensor is unattached. I bet my throttle body is filthy.

Any ideas if that could cause the car to do this?

Thanks everyone