So i was driving to work the other day when my car died. The lights starting going dim and car started slowing down and then died. I started it up again straight away and it was running but everything was dim. I tried to drive it home but it shut off again after 30 seconds and then wouldn't start up. Kept making a clicking noise when trying to start.
After waiting 30mins it started up fine and I drove it for another 10mins home.
Since then I have been driving it around my area to see if it would happen again but so far its been running fine.
Could this be the alternator? or the battery?
The battery light is on, on my dash, but because i replaced my cluster lights with LEDs the day before I wasn't sure if I messed up the cluster or if there was a battery issue.
Anyone know what this could be?
Thanks

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WRX MY05
215HP - 16 PSI
Ultrex TBE
Cobb Air Intake
STI Intercooler

The battery.

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The alternator failed first, then the battery ran out out of ziggys, (amps)

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Race Torque Dyno 399 NM, 248Kw @ 20PSI

Straight roads are for fast cars, twisty roads are for fast drivers. I have or am neither.

http://tttmsp.smugmug.com/

Ok Cool, So do you think the alternator is stuffed? Can the alternator work off and on, or if it died would it not work at all? Just weird that after waiting 30mins the car started up fine and I drove it home. So I was thinking the battery is ok if it started up fine. Not sure how alternators act though..

__________________
WRX MY05
215HP - 16 PSI
Ultrex TBE
Cobb Air Intake
STI Intercooler

Battery would recover slightly after you turned the car off.

But RE reading your first post, are you positive that you have hooked up the dash correctly.

If you don't have access to a multi meter, call the RAC, they can check your charging system, if your a member etc.

With engine running you should be seeing 13.8 volts or more at the battery, if you see only 12 or less with the engine running you maybe after both, but alternator for sure.

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Race Torque Dyno 399 NM, 248Kw @ 20PSI

Straight roads are for fast cars, twisty roads are for fast drivers. I have or am neither.

http://tttmsp.smugmug.com/

Certain cars need to dash to be hooked up to complete the charging circuit. Any chance something has gone awry there??

The plugs for the cluster should be fine. If a LED/Bulb isn't in right, would that cause any issues?

So if i use a multi-reader and the volts are low, does that mean the alternator needs replacing?
Then after replacing that if its still low, then its the battery? Is it possible its just the battery?
Does the battery light on the cluster mean its reading low volts?

Thanks for all the replies by the way

__________________
WRX MY05
215HP - 16 PSI
Ultrex TBE
Cobb Air Intake
STI Intercooler

The battery light means the battery is low and not being recharged, or recharged enough by the alternator, so thats why I would look at that first.

The battery maybe ok, but will depend if it has been damaged by running it down to what ever its at now.

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Race Torque Dyno 399 NM, 248Kw @ 20PSI

Straight roads are for fast cars, twisty roads are for fast drivers. I have or am neither.

http://tttmsp.smugmug.com/

Sorry, to add, if you found the car nearly dead each morning, slow to turn over, or needs a jump, but was OK once the motor was running, then the battery isn't holding charge and I would look at that first in that scenario.

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Race Torque Dyno 399 NM, 248Kw @ 20PSI

Straight roads are for fast cars, twisty roads are for fast drivers. I have or am neither.

http://tttmsp.smugmug.com/

Ok Cheers, thanks for the help I will do some testing tomorrow and see how it goes. Weird that the car still drives, must have just enough power to drive or something, but still a bit low on the volts

__________________
WRX MY05
215HP - 16 PSI
Ultrex TBE
Cobb Air Intake
STI Intercooler