Alt or Battery dying.

[Burke]

Yo.

This is the 3rd time this week that my bug died during an idle at a traffic light. It dies like it runs out of gas (that feeling) and the battery light kicks on. I then can start it back up after 2 tries and it starts fine.

What's the quickest way to determine if it's the alt or the battery again? I forget..
I should say this is an '01 and has never had a new alt or battery.. that I know of.

Thanks.

[D2Beetle]

A test that I use to check the alternator is to start the car and disconnect the battery terminal. If the engine dies the alternator is bad.

[Burke]

O wow, didn't even know that was possible.
Ok, so I started it up and pulled the - terminal. She still ran (to my surprise)

so that means it's my battery then ya?

[HarlequinPixie]

Take it to autozone\advanced auto\etc.. they can usually test both of them for you, as well.

[Burke]

Yep, that was it. Thanks guys.

[jdesigns]

Warning: Never disconnect a battery cable while the engine is running to "test" the alternator. Doing so can cause high voltage spikes that can damage the alternator as well as other electronics.