I just got my license. We?ve had this car for over a year now, bought it from my brother?s friend. It ran fine. All of a sudden, as I was driving it yesterday afternoon to my mom?s house, it started making a funny sound.
Funny sound as in it sounded like there was gravel inside the engine every time I hit the accelerator.
I know NOTHING about cars besides where to put the gas and how to drive one, so non-techincal responses would be helpful.
Anyways, back to the story...
I was driving it, it was making these sounds, then as I turned onto my street to get home, the SOB up and died on me as I was driving it. The power steering went out, the gas stopped working, everything shut off. The lights still worked, though, so I know it?s not the battery.
The AAA guy said it MIGHT be the alternator, but he wasn?t sure, so tomorrow I?m getting it diagnosed at Car Care Plus (a AAA facility), but I need to know...how much are alternator replacements going for these days? My mom said she?d help out up to $500. After that, we?re screwed.
Thanks.