battery or the alternator? I have a 1990 Honda Prelude and it wouldn't start the other day. When I turned the key to start the car it seems to try and cranks very lightly and the lights on the dash dims. I checked the battery (12volt battery) with a multimeter and it shows that its at 11.84 volts. I had jumped the battery and started the car that way. But the next day it happened all over again. Maybe the alternator is not charging the battery properly and there isn't enough amps to turn the engine. I need your help.