For a few weeks I'd been noticing that the battery light would flicker at high RPMs. I learned through a quick search of the troubleshooting forum that the alternator was most likely on its way out. I made a mental note to myself to get it checked out someday, but didn't worry too much about it. Then one Saturday afternoon, I saw the light flicker as I started the car. I reminded myself that I should get it checked out on Monday, but since the light didn't come back I continued on my way.
20 minutes into my drive on the 401, the battery light comes on and stays on, and then the tach dies. I thought the car had shut off at that point, because nothing was working (not even the turn signals/hazard flashers). I carefully pulled over to the shoulder and it was only until I turned the ignition to Off that I realized the car had actually been running still, although very weakly. I immediately tried starting the car, but all I got were a few lights. I waited a bit and tried again; this time I was able to start the car but when I put it into gear and tried moving there was barely any power. I shut off the car and called a friend of mine who had CAA. He told me to stay put and he'd come meet me.
After waiting about 15 minutes, I was getting bored so I tried starting the car again and this time not only was I was able to get it started, it ran totally normal as if nothing was wrong. Evidently the battery was in fairly good shape given this self-charge effect (which was the other surprising thing as it's the factory original and nearly 7 yrs old). I called my friend and told him not to worry about me, that I was going to chance it. I was right in front of an exit so got off there then got back on the 401 in the opposite direction and started towards home.
The car ran beautifully for most of the trip home and I was starting to think that what had happened earlier might've been a fluke. But 10 minutes from home it happens again - the battery light comes on and the tach dies. A bit wiser now from my earlier experience, I continue driving as I was only a minute from my exit. The route home I chose was not the shortest distance-wise, however it would have the lightest traffic and the least amount of stops as it was country roads most of the way; I'd really only have to worry about 1 stop sign and 1 major intersection, if I was somehow able to make it that far.
With the battery light now on constantly, I knew it was only a matter of time before the car would shut off for good. In fact, I was quite amazed that I could keep driving the car this long after it had seemingly "died".
I survived the stop sign, although I did have to keep my foot on the gas in order to keep the engine idling. And the acceleration was so weak, it was if I'd lost a gear. This is what you call limping home!
As for the major intersection, I lucked out there - the light turned green just as my crawl was about to come to a stop. My street is right after that intersection so the rest of the trip was smooth sailing. Or should I say, coasting.
A few hours after I got home, I tried starting the car and nothing - it was totally dead. What a close call that was! The cost to rebuild the alternator was $280 and the labour to r&r was $130, plus taxes. Fortunately this was covered by the extended warranty. I also had them replace the serpentine belt, since there wouldn't be any extra labour involved in doing that.
So the moral of this long story is - if you have a flickering battery light, get it checked out sooner rather than later.
