Battery or altinator?

Question

My 1998 honda Oddesey loses all power when I'm driving or at a light.I have to restart my car but it takes me 5 or 6 times before it turns over.Could this be my battery or altinator?

Answer 1

Sounds like the battery.  If it hasn't been replaced in the last couple years, try that first.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what an altinator is.....those crazy Japanese....

Answer 3

neither if the battery is bad it wont start or turn over at all and if the alterantor not working then the battery wouldnt work either.. car dies at lights its not getting fuel right so either you need a new fuel filter and a bottle of fuel treatment or a tuneup

Answer 4

When the engine is running you could remove the battery and it wouldn't matter. And if the battery is good, it wouldn't matter if the alternator quit. The battery would keep things running for hours. So, you're looking at a bad connection somewhere.

Answer 5

Take the car someplace where someone  has a volt meter. If you have one check the voltage of the battery when the car is running. I should be more than 13 volts. If it is the alternator is working. If not change the alternator FIRST.

It sounds like the alternator because it should provide enough power while you are driving to keep the car running. But it is worth the check, you don't want to spend money for the  heck of it.  

Answer 6

you have a couple of good solutions have auto zone check your car this service is really FREE surprised some people still want to help, also it sounds as if you may have a loose connection to the starter, this will cause the electrical system to fail sometimes and the starter to heat up a swell making the vehicle difficult to start and also first checks are always the alternator and battery,quick check at home is start the car remove the pos or neg term from the battery and if the shuts right off the alternator is bad if it keeps running check for loose connections on the starter

Answer 7

Could be your alternator is not working so the battery is getting charged.  If you have an Auto Zone or Advanced Auto parts store in your area, go there and they will do a free electrical system check.  That will tell you if one or both are bad.