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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oklahomabassin" data-source="post: 1992110" data-attributes="member: 1546"><p>Alternator charges after engine is running, it provides power after the engine is running. The alternator doesn't directly have anything to do with the initial starting of the engine. If an alternator is bad, it wasn't charging the battery, and the battery won't have the juice to start the engine. But if you get good battery supply (IE: a good battery, jump start) it will start and run until that battery dies. A good indication is when you jump start a motor with a bad alternator and you remove jumper cables, the motor starts running like crap and then dies. If your lights are bright and you use jumper cables off another vehicle and still nothing happens, we can probably rule out the battery. You mention a small motor whine when you turn the key on, well that is what a starter is. If its not kicking the starter gear over to engage the flywheel, you probably need a starter, because replacing will be easier than repairing. If that engine isn't running and turning the belt, why would the alternator make any noise?</p></blockquote><p></p>