Anyone of you come across these symptoms before?

- got full power (battery's at 12.12V)
- I hear a fast tic-tic-tic-tic sound (from starter area)
- my security light is flashing even with the doors unlocked

Q. Can a starter die suddenly?
Q. Could this be related to a security feature? My neighbour had a 3rd gen Max where if the power goes too low, the security feature kicks in next time the key is inserted in the ignition. The security LED will flash from then on until reset. That can be done by popping the trunk & inserting the key.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by StygianMax
[B]Anyone of you come across these symptoms before?

- got full power (battery's at 12.12V)
- I hear a fast tic-tic-tic-tic sound (from starter area)
- my security light is flashing even with the doors unlocked

12.12 volts is the sign of a bad battery! Take car to Auto Zone or Advanced Auto they will check out battery and charging system for free! The systems on our cars are so electrically inter dependent it is difficult to diagnose electrical problems. However your battery should have a voltage of 12.6 at a minimum.

 

Your battery is weak. You can have bad cells and still measure 12 volts. It's not voltage that cranks your car, it's current or amps.

Put the meter on the battery and turn the key to start, watch the voltage drop way down as you hear the tic tic tic because the battery cannot supply enough amps to crank the engine.

Have somebody jump you, the car should start right up.

 

karguy/njmaxseltd: Thx for the quick response! You guys are the best. I happened to have a fairly new battery a local 5th gen owner gave me last Fall. I hadn't thought of dropping it in earlier b/c it read 12.4V. But when I did, the car started great with it.

Two quick questions:

• Is there any way I can check if I have an alternator problem? I have 1 month/1,500km left on my extended warranty. It'll cost C$80 for a diagnosis at the dealer.
• Over the past month, the car had more difficulty starting. Could that be a problem with my 6 yr old battery not being able to store charge and/or a dying alternator?

Thx in advance!

 

If it was over a months time, it's battery, not alternator. If it was your alternator, you'd be dead in just a few days.

 

Autozone and Advance not only will check your battery for free, but they will check your alternator for free too, so you can save the 80 bucks at the dealership...........


Dealership =

 

Then why do some folks install a voltage gauge in their cars? Is it to tell if there's a problem with the alternator?

 

They do it for looks and to monitor eletrical system.