A few days ago while I was stopped at a red light the car just died. At this point the key would still turn over, but it would not start. As I sat in the intersection waiting for help, the car slowly began to die, until their was not enough power even for my hazard lights. I finally got help and pushed my car back into a parking lot. There, two cars tried to jump-start my battery, which would not start the car. When I came back to the car later, the power turned on (lights, radio) but the car would still not start, so that ruled out my battery being the problem. The car has over a half tank of gas, so thats not the problem either. I have friends looking at it today, and while they have been working on cars for a long time, neither have any experience with Acuras. I cannot afford to take it to a shop. If you have any ideas as to what could be wrong with it, that would be very appreciated. And please don't post answers if you don't know what your talking about... Thanks!
2007-02-06 02:56:04 · 5 answers · asked by Mandi Jo 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would not rule out the battery, unless it is very new. I do not know where you live, but in extremely cold weather conditions, the battery can be affected with respect to its ability to start the car. If it ran for a little while, then died and would not crank, but thenj it sat for a while, you may get enough to make things like the lights work, as they take VERY little power, and as it warms up, the battery may have enough charge to power the lights, but no where near what you need to start the car. Were they able to get it running? It could also be a combination of a weak battery with afuel delivery problem, which would account for you being unable to jump start it...
2007-02-06 03:03:43 · answer #1 · answered by quickmirada 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to say, but the symptoms you describe sound like a bad alternator. The battery is usually only used to start the car and to run the electrical systems when the car is not running. When the car is running, the alternator (which used to be more appropriately called the "generator") provides electricity to all the car systems. However, if the alternator goes bad, it doesn't provide any electricity and the car has to run off the battery until it dies, and jumping the battery does no good. You should call your nearest AutoZone and/or Pep Boys to see if they can check your battery and your alternator for you. Yes, they will charge you a fee for it, but they won't charge you as much as the dealership will just to look at it. If it is the alternator, it won't be cheap to fix. Even if you have friends who can replace it for you, all Acura parts are made in Japan and are VERY pricey. With American cars you can usually get a new or rebuilt alternator (which is cheaper) from an auto parts store, but I don't know of any auto parts store that sells rebuilt Japanese parts. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news -- let's just hope I'm wrong.
2007-02-06 03:08:55 · answer #2 · answered by sarge927 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It takes 3 things to start an engine. Gas, compression and spark. I would not rule out gas, the fuel filter may be so clogged that you do not get fuel in the engine to run the car. But the most deciding culprit will be your electric fuel pump which is located inside the gas tank. With the key on you should hear a buzz sound from the gas tank area, if you do not, then the pump is probably dead. You can try tapping on the bottom of the gas tank with a piece of woofd or a rubber hammer, sometimes this will be enough to kick start the pump just to get you home. if this does the trick for you to start the car, the pump still needs to be replaced and i would also recomend replacing the fuel filter as well. The tank must be drained of all the fuel before attempting to remove your pump. You also have a fuel pump relay. Have this checked as well, but my impression is the fuel pump by your description of the break down.
good luck, and feel free to e-mail me with any more questions...
2007-02-06 03:06:35 · answer #3 · answered by mailbox1024 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leap it and commence it. enable it run a couple of minutes, then positioned a volt meter in the course of the battery terminals. even if it truly is reading round 14 volts, your alternator is nice. If no longer, it is undesirable, replace it. If it does examine round 14, it truly is time for a sparkling battery. in case you want to be doubly constructive, positioned the volt meter on the battery tomorrow morning in the previous you commence it. i ought to guess it is going to examine at or below 10 volts because one cellular is going out. each and every cellular places out 2 volts, 2 x 6 = 12 volts. Or take it for your mechanic who can positioned the tester on it and allow you to already know which it truly is in 30 seconds.
2016-11-02 11:49:02 · answer #4 · answered by lobos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Sarge, you need an alternator, if however replacing the alternator doesn't fix the problem, blame Sarge not me, thanks.
2007-02-06 03:49:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋