Is It the Alternator, the Starter, or the Battery? Match Your Vehicle's Symptoms to the Most Likely Culprit

February 25, 2020

If your car has a hard time starting, or doesn't start at all, the battery is often the first thing that gets blamed. While a dead battery can be the cause of your problems, that's not always the case--and a perfectly healthy battery may become drained by an alternator that isn't functioning. On this page, you'll find some distinctive symptoms that can point you in the direction of the part that will need to be looked at. Whether it's the battery, the starter, or the alternator, it's best to bring your Chevy to an authorized service center for an accurate diagnosis and repair.

The Symptom: The Lights Dim & Flicker

The Likely Culprit: Alternator

If your car is hard to start, but you manage after a few tries, keeping an eye on the dash lights and headlights may help you determine whether you're dealing with a battery problem or a failing alternator. When your car is running, the alternator recharges the battery and runs the electrical components in your vehicle. If the alternator is failing, it may not be able to power these components as fully. The result? The lights will become dim, or may flicker on and off.

The Symptom: Dash Lights Turn On, But the Car Won't Start

The Likely Culprit: Starter

If you're unable to start your vehicle, check and see if the headlights and dash lights come on. If they shine bright and clear, that means that the battery and alternator are likely not the cause of the problem. If they were, there wouldn't be enough power to run the lights. Instead, you're probably looking at a starter that needs to be replaced.

The Symptom: Jump Start Works

The Likely Culprit: Battery

The way your vehicle behaves after a jump start can tell you a great deal about which component is likely faulty. When you jump start your vehicle, the battery gets the charge it needs to start the engine. If the jump is successful, and your car continues running, this means that your battery is almost certainly the cause of the problem. While this could be caused by things like excess parasitic drain or your accidentally leaving the headlights on, it may also indicate that your battery is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs replacement.

The Symptom: Jump Start Doesn't Work

The Likely Culprit: Starter

If the battery isn't the reason the vehicle won't start, then no amount of charge to the battery will fix the problem. If jump starting your vehicle produces no response, the starter might be to blame. However, this isn't always the case. A battery may be so old that it simply can't hold enough charge to start the engine. However, batteries will usually give you trouble long before they reach this stage. And again, checking whether the lights come on can be helpful in determining the cause of the problem.

The Symptom: Engine Dies After a Successful Jump

The Likely Culprit: Alternator

As important as the battery in your vehicle is, it really has one main job: to start the engine. If the alternator isn't working as it should, your battery won't have enough charge to start the engine, but that's not the only problem you may experience. A failed alternator may not be able to provide enough power to the spark plugs, which could make the engine stall while you're driving.