I drained my battery while charging my phone, got a jump and drove it for a couple days with no problem. Yesterday, I noticed my lights inside the car were a little dimmer than before but drove it anyway, then my car died. While I was getting a jump, the car was running fine, while the battery cables were attached, but as soon as I detached the cables, the car died. Alternator,battery, or worse? Thank you for your help.

Check battery and connection alternator too.

I just went thru same thing with my 2003 f-350 diesel. I hooked up my horse Trailor and drove to Von's parked went in came back out and truck was dead. I tried to jump it didn't work. Then over next two hours two tow truck Drivers hooked up to both batteries full power charge direct to my truck and would not start.
End story required two new batteries alternator and cilanoid discussed above. In other post. Also contributing to the cause was really badly coroded cables they looked good at the connection point but wher discovered to be coroded inside the tubing just above the end connections so bow it has all been replaced and I have had no trouble since. Hope this helps. Tanya

The battery light indicates the cars Alternator is not charging the battery, this can be the alt that is defective or the wiring to it.

Sounds like the battery is bad. Have a parts house check it. That could solve your shifting problem

Sounds like a bad alternator. Drained your battery and when you turned on the lights it took all the power left in your battery. When you drain a battery down that far, they are real hard to jump, and coupled with the alternator, the car is not producing enough current to start and stay running.

I would take the alternator off and take it to oyur local auto parts store to be tested. If bad, replace it and charge the battery fully before starting. Then check voltage at battery with motor running. Should be 13.2 -14 Volts DC. If not, you may have a bad battery cable or blown fusible link. (especially that if the alternator tests good).....Mike

I ran into the problem and it was corrosion on the battery terminals. on the inside against the battery. also check the the terminals for good connection.
Stay warm

The charging system (alternator ) is not working ! Your best bet would be to take it to a qualified repair shop

Alternator is bad. It is not charging the battery as you drive.

You need to Check out the Alternator.

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

Initially, a couple of possibilities you may want to check/consider:

• weak/defective battery (most likely);
• loose/corroded battery terminals, electrical connectors (just a possibility);
• faulty charging system (least likely).

Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa. Happy Holidays.