I've got the repair manual and have done some troubleshooting. I recently replaced the battery. The car was working but recently on the highway the speedometer went down and the car started losing power. I made it home but now not even the dashboard lights come on...nada. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
2007-03-24 03:36:47 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Three things I would check. First I would take the alternator in and have it checked at Checker Auto or Autozone. Without the Alternator charging your battery will keep dying and you will lose power. Second I would check to see if the voltage regulator is working, some are built into the Alternator other car models they are separate. Third I would check the cables going from battery to ground (Black) and Positive (Red) cable to starter. Sometimes the Positive (Red) cable will touch against something hot like your exhaust manifold and develop a small opening thereby the open wiring will short and draw power straight to ground.
2007-03-24 03:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by John 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am halfway through Auto school so please dont be mad if im wrong lol, but it sounds like you have a short in the system somewhere, however, the alternator can cause the car to lose power while its running, and prevent it from starting, but it wouldnt cause your dash lights not to come on while the key is is turned. Think of it this way: the battery is only used while the car is not running, and to START the car, after its started the alternator takes over and runs the car. But im not sure why the dash lights wouldnt come on if youve recently changed the battery. Wish i could be more help, but with all of those symptoms i would lean more towards having a short in the electrical system.
2007-03-24 03:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to start from the basics. First make sure your battery is fully charged and the battery cable connections are clean and tight. A fully charged battery should measure at least 12.5 Volts. You can buy a low cost battery charger from Sears. Disconnect one battery terminal and connect the charger to the battery. Charge it for 3 hours at 10 Amps or over night at 2 Amps. When the car is started and running again, you need to measure the charging voltage across the battery and make sure it's more than 13.5 Volts. Sears also sells low cost Digital Multi-Meters (DMM) that you can measure the battery and charging voltages with.
2007-03-24 03:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be your alternator. If you have a bad alternator it sucks life out of your battery real quick so I would check that first.
2007-03-24 03:45:29 · answer #4 · answered by minicoop_jen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes alternator, possibly corroded terminals but not as likely.
2007-03-24 03:42:55 · answer #5 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check for master fuse or fusible link under hood.
2007-03-24 03:43:52 · answer #6 · answered by James B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the alternator
2007-03-24 03:39:55 · answer #7 · answered by itsthewill 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋