-- Posted by medjai at 6:12 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Alright so the alternator is bad (its eaten two batteries already). Why does the car die when I come to a stop light? Can I prevent it from dying by throwing it into neutral and maintaining a higher than idle rev? The car restarts after it dies no problem by the way. -- Posted by Raven Sword at 6:13 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 what kind of car is it -- Posted by Killer Tofu at 6:14 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 get a new alternator.. -- Posted by 2kewl4u2know at 6:15 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 My boyfriend's car used to do that too sometimes.  So, when it was really bad what he'd do is super slowly roll up to the stop, that way he could hopefully avoid stopping completely.  He eventually got new spark plugs or whatever and it's not as bad...although it's still a little shaky on speeds under 30. -- Posted by medjai at 6:17 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 It's a VW Jetta and it's my brother's car, so I'm not going to buy an alternator for it lol. -- Posted by stl man at 6:19 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Quote: from medjai at 9:17 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 It's a VW Jetta and it's my brother's car, so I'm not going to buy an alternator for it lol. that's what u need to do. either that, or get a car battery charger -- Posted by rijames99 at 6:19 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 IF it's your alternator, you will be able to restart it only as long as the battery lasts, which won't be long.  You're using the juice in the battery to restart it while not recharging the battery.  get a new alternator. Also, it may be stalling becausse of an ignititon problem, but if you know you're alternator is bad, start with that. -- Posted by medjai at 6:20 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Ok but can the car still run if it's already running when the batteries completely dead, as in if I keep it revved for the entire trip (even at stops)? -- Posted by ScoobyDoo82 at 6:47 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 If the alternator is no good, no matter how much you rev you aren't going to produce a charge, just get a new one, thats the only way to solve your problem. Also, shut everything off to conserve whats left of the battery (heat, a/c, radio, wipers, DRLs <(if possible)). -- Posted by medjai at 7:02 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 New question. If I connect the battery in the jetta to the battery in my truck so as to jumpstart it, but instead of jumpstarting it, just let it sit there for a long period of time can I fully charge the battery? -- Posted by medjai at 7:02 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Btw I don't have the option of throwing an alternator on or I would. -- Posted by ScoobyDoo82 at 7:22 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Im not totally sure but I would think it would change the battery, if you just let it idle. But make sure you dont kill the battery in the truck doing that. -- Posted by medjai at 9:14 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Sounds good. -- Posted by Neodymie at 1:47 pm on Oct. 1, 2008 No that wont work. Charges equalize. There will be no force to push it into the other battery so they just even out. Are you positive it's the alternator? Try charging your battery completely then unhook the alternator. Try driving it around a little bit and wee what happens. -- Posted by AtomicCactus at 3:39 am on Oct. 6, 2008 Quote: from medjai at 6:20 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Ok but can the car still run if it's already running when the batteries completely dead... That's the premise of leaving a car running while giving a boost... -- Posted by KRNsoccerplayer24 at 8:46 pm on Oct. 7, 2008 Quote: from medjai at 6:12 pm on Sep. 29, 2008 Alright so the alternator is bad (its eaten two batteries already). Why does the car die when I come to a stop light? Can I prevent it from dying by throwing it into neutral and maintaining a higher than idle rev? The car restarts after it dies no problem by the way. How long has it done that? I had alternator problems and i believe my car started back up fine a few times( i think i got a jump once), but then i noticed my radio messing up and i tested my wipers and they were going VERY slow so i pulled over and finally it just died, so i had to get a new alternator.