So I have come to the conclusion I need either an alternator, a starter, or need to get the battery i bought a month ago replaced.

Background story: About a month ago it got very cold [-5*F]car wouldnt start all electrical components work, no crank at all...finally get it fired up shut it off it would diesel...take it to my dads mechanic throws his tester on battery had 10volts and alt was putting out 17...he said get a new battery in and it would be fine....go to sears buy a 180$ battery..they tell me the alternator is fine.


Today exact same problem, [~20*] so I figure either the alternator is crapping out and not charging the battery or the starter bit it...but I am going to bitch at sears because it will make me feel better.


So are the alternator and starter covered under any warrenty other than the bumper-bumper ie emissions or powertrain


If it helps I have an 04 Ion redline with 29xxx miles

 

what electrical work do you have done? i had a very minor short and my car literally would struggle to start, and my volts would go from below 10 to above 14 at idle.

 

0 i am stock beside an airbox mod, a catch can, and a poly insert

 

check all your grounds, that sounds like a likely culprit

 

All the electrical stuff works, radio, lights, windows, power locks, everything just no crank at all

 

it should be covered. if you want to keep an eye on it yourself, pick up a volt meter. but the dealer should cover it if you're still under warranty. they probably won't cover the battery, but if it's the alternator they should. 10 is very low for the battery, should be around 12.5 with the car off, and somewhere over 13 at a minimum with the car on. but def. sounds like either the alternator or battery, but since the alternator is putting out the right current i would bet it's just a bad ground somewhere, or loose wire.

 

i dont know what the new battery is reading...I'm out of 3/36 warrenty i called saturn to see if its still under emissions or powertrain and waiting on a call back

 

nothing? does it click? or try to turn over? or just do absolutely nothing.

 

absoultely nothing its like trying to start it with out pushing the clutch in ...the security light and check engine light come on, turn the key off all the dummy lights turn on

 

u might want to try and check tht code. But it still sounds like a bad ground.

 

either bad ground or starter. if everything else comes on, lights, radio, etc, that kinda rules out the alternator for the most part. did you check the connections on the starter? I think it's by the water pump in the redline, but not positive on that.

 

no its not the code its the engine didnt start type CEL...like when you stall and it comes on

bump bump

 

Ya might want to have your battery current sensor checked. We've replaced a couple of them before cuz of having troubles keeping a charge. That's the plastic ring thing on your battery cable just off the battery.

 

well the service writer at saturn thinks its the ignition switch

 

yeah, id say ignition switch too. being a chrysler tech, its a common problem in chrokees and such but thats what id point to.