Friday I was the victim of a hit and run in my '99 Alero
(86k miles, original owner) - lots of cosmetic damage to front passenger
side. Monday took to insurance adjusters and they estimated damage a
$2700, so I got a check for $2200 after they took of my deductible.



On the way home from the adjusters the battery warning light came on.
Drove it home and as I drove more and more warning lights started coming
on. When I got home and turned it off and tried to restart it, the
battery was DEAD. Jumped it and it ran, but gauges and clock were
flickering and lots of warning lights came on. Put battery charger on it
for a few hours. Started up and ran for about 1/2 a minute before the
battery light came on. Put a voltmeter between the one wire coming off
the alternator and the neg. terminal of the battery: It read 12.06 V with
engine off and 11.91 V with engine on. The battery is less than 1 year
old. Any ideas what could be causing this problem? Voltage
regulator?



This car has been great to us and I want to fix it, but don't want to spend any
more $$$ than the insurance check because my wife have 5 month old twins that
just started daycare so we are super-poor right now! If we take it to a
shop I am worried we will end up owing money, but if I can fix the charging
problem then the rest the repairs should be unbolting smashed parts and bolting
on un-smashed ones - definitely something I can do myself. Any help is
much appreciated!



Thanks,

Jim

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First things first...CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY!


This is secondary damage and should be paid fr by them. Let them pay to have it fixed. That's what you bought insurance for....right?


C.J.