but would the alt. make my car jerk????

 

yes.

check the alternator cables to see if they're secure.


Without the alternator at driving speeds, your car will turn off on you. It will feel like someone pulled the plug.

 

^^ u can drive w/o the altenator connected for about 5-10 minutes (depending on how good ur battery is) i'm guessing its probably one of the pulleys that might be tightening up (like altenator or powersteering)

the first time i started noticing it was when ever i was taking a curve. after that it pretty much regularly. (so mine might be the powersteering pump itself)

 

Checking the belts is never a bad idea but when alternators get old, like all things eventually, the bearings go out which could cause the car to jerk.

Might not be that serious though, maybe the alternator isn't keeping the battery charged (whether loose belt, etc.) and that when the bearings snag, the belt slips more than usual, or it simply doesn't put out the correct voltage for the situation, that the car jerks because it isn't getting the spark it needs and the battery isn't strong enough to compensate. :shrug:

 

i never have problems with the car starting the alt charges the battery good

 

try this. pull out ur compressor and power steering belt and then drive the car. see if it does it again. do this just to experiment. if it still does it then take off ur altenator belt and do it again, but fast this time cause ur battery will run out fast (just make sure that you have all the electrical stuff off (that u can turn off) like headlights, radio, dont use ur power windows.

 

This is likely an alternator problem unless it's a grounding issue, which is rare. You'll have to replace it within 10k miles. Notice any strange whirring noises from it?

 

no there is no strange noises...everything sounds fine...it will only do it in first gear...no matter how fast i accerlerate in any other gear it will not jerk. I checked the belts and they are all good....

 

i just found out that i need a new 3rd gear pressure switch for my transmission could this be what is causing the problem?

 

I really doubt it. You really should be able to tell if it's transmission or engine related.