My 2002 cavalier was parked while we were eating at a place on the beach and when I tried to start it, nothing came on-no lights- so I got a jump. All the way home the dashboard lights kept dimming and brightening and when I turned it off at home I tried to crank it and it was dead with a clicking noise. I am a single mom and hope not to get ripped off. Any suggestions on what it is so I don't look so dumb at the mechanics?

Thanks so much

Lisa

 

Sounds like your Altenator mam.

 

ya sounds like an alternator, but it still wont be cheap due to labour charges unless you do it yourself

 

Sorry but after re-reading it it could be your battery too!

 

Its the battery. If the lights keep dimming and brightening, that means the alternator is still charging the battery. It also means the battery doesnt have enough spirit left to keep up with the 12 volt necessity.
Open your hood. The battery will be somewhere on the driver side of the car. Those new models usually have an indicator on the top of the battery . (Its kind of the same for those ironers which have those "there's too much chalk in your ironer" device. How it works is explained on the top of your battery. )
An average battery works for about 4 to 6 years. So if you never replaced it yet, now would be a good time.

And to everybody else : Stop frightening single moms !!!!!! ;-)

 

Lisa,
If possible, jump start the car and disconnect the battery, if it keeps running than the battery needs replacing and the alternator is fine.