Pulled back in the driveway and while idling it died again. Please help
2007-01-07 15:06:00 · 10 answers · asked by kristen y 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Simple. You altenator is bad or a weak battery cell. The altenator charges the battery. So though you jumped it you put a little extra juice in the battery enought to start it and run it. But your altenator is not charging the battery fast enough to replace the charge in the battery. If it is a weak battery cell, it is not holding the charge. What you can do is take the battery to an Auto parts shop. Call as there are some that will do a free battery check. If you can take the altenator and get a free check on that too.
2007-01-07 15:12:10 · answer #1 · answered by Big C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Before you get into replacing stuff and seeing if it fixes the problem, there are some simple checks you can do with a very inexpensive volt meter. Radio Shack has one for under $10 if you don't have one. Set it on DC volts and with the car not running and the key off, check the battery voltage and record the number. Then start of jump the car to get it running and again record the voltage. Now turn on the lights, the A/C, the blower on high and a rear windo defogger if you have one. Also the headlights on bright. Record the voltage again.
Now you have three readings, a base reading, an engine running and a full load reading.
If the base reading is below 12 volts but the engine running is around 13.5 volts and the engine running with full electrical load is still around 13.5 V, you can suspect the battery. If you have a engine running voltage of below 13V or if you have a full load below 13V, suspect the alternator. Likewise suspect the voltage regulator if the engine run is 13.5V but full load is less than 12.5V.
Since most Voltage regulators are integral with the alternator, replace the alternator...
Before you start the test, clean the battery terminals and the connections to the engine block as well as the back of the alternator etc. Also make sure the alternator drive belt is tight and not slipping. Then run the test on your car. This should, in most cases allow you to id the part to replace if any and avoid unnecessary parts change out and the $ involved. You might also charge the battery and see if it does it again if you suspect the battery. Then replace the battery. There is too little diagnosis these days and too much changing of parts until the problem goes away. This simple test has worked for me a ton of times.
Make Sense???
2007-01-07 23:30:54 · answer #2 · answered by antiqueclockservice 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start the car. Turn off all the accessories that use electrical power including interior lights, radio, etc. Disconnect the negative batter cable. If the car continues to run, then the alternator is probably ok and the battery is bad. If the car dies, then your alternator probably needs to be raplaced.
2007-01-08 01:49:44 · answer #3 · answered by dhardy55 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a new battery, change the oil, get the thing serviced.
The main thing wrong with it is this though!!!
perhaps your idle air control aka iac is bad when your throttle is slammed shut small amounts of air pass throgh a small hole in the door of the thottle body to prevent rough idle if that goes bad the pcm basically sends less fuel to the motor making it run rough
2007-01-07 23:12:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Did it just die while it was running on its own? Or did you shut it off and it wouldnt start again? If it just died out on its own it could be that your alternator has went bad and is not recharging the battery.
2007-01-07 23:08:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
check to see that everything goes off when the car goes off, mine did the same thing and it turned out that the sensor on the light under the hood was broken and the light was always on. all i had to do was get the battery fully charged and all has been well since
2007-01-07 23:12:23 · answer #6 · answered by sandcrab372004 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could have a bad battery that just dont hold the charge, the coale could be bad, and so many other things. I would take it a mechanic and let them check it out.
2007-01-07 23:14:52 · answer #7 · answered by karen v 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it depends on your car. And you should probably drive it for 20 or so minutes so it doesn't die. And if it's an old battery, it probably just needs to be replaced.
2007-01-07 23:09:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would say your alternator went bye-byes. Jump it again and get to an autozone where they can check it for you for free
2007-01-07 23:08:51 · answer #9 · answered by Jeep Driver 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
what kind of car, how old, miles etc. let me know and I can try to help you further. thenewme310@hotmail.com
2007-01-07 23:12:21 · answer #10 · answered by Jeremy G 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋