Hey Everyone,

So i started my car this morning and noticed that on my instrument panel, the brake light is lit up along with my battery light. Noticed that when I accelerate, enough to switch gears (automatic) the light goes off until I let go of the gas. Weird. Anyways, I was driving along and then my radio turned off. So, I'm thinking that my battery is dying. Also, noticed that my windshield wipers were really slow, then I turned everything off that had a light to it as well as the radio this time... When I pulled up to the parking lot, noticed that my ABS light was blinking and the lights were dim when it blinks twice when I hit the LOCK button on my keyless entry. It seems like signs of a weak battery, but not sure what would drain it. Its a diehard and I bought it about exactly a year ago. Other things too.. the clock light is really dim when I turn on my headlight. Would an alternator issue cause these symptons?

Thanks very much. You guys are always there with answers when I have questions and I just want to say thanks..




-T

its your alternator, but to do a check, just go to any garage and ask them to hook a volt meter up and see if that's the problem

and one more thing, you dont have much longer at all till your car dies

Wonderful... Thanks for the info.. Once it dies, is it completely dead and have to be towed? Or will it go again after a while?

it will go till there is no more charge left in your battery, so unless you have one of those jumper packs, you're not making it very far

yeah hurry up and get your alternator checked out, sounds like it will be failing very very soon.

guyfromkop is correct 100% it's your alternator, so everything is running off your battery, you could recharge your battery if you have a charger, but the abuse your battery has taken could also cause its demise, nothing wrong with a reconditioned aftermarket alternators if your on a budget, the factory one from the stealer will cost you an arm and a leg

yea the alternator sounds like it is messing up go ahead and check the battery while u are there especially since it is a die hard you may have to repalce the battery when u do the alternator
if everything checks out than go through all of your ground wires check them and see if any are loose also go ahead and check the terminal on the back of the alternator and make sure that u are getting a good contact with the source of power if these are not the problem than go to the dealer and spend 60 bucks and have them diognose the problem

I'd like to jump on this thread, if I may, and ask a quick question concerning my car battery (perhaps?)

Lately, in the cold MI weather, if I haven't started my car lately (6 hours or so), it takes about 5 or 6 tries to get the car to start. The engine turns, but it just doesn't "catch" so to speak. It starts right up on the first try after less than 2 hours of sitting, but it's just after a long while that I have the problem.

Oh yeah, the previous owners put a new starter in the car within the last three years or so, would that be dying already?

Is this a sign of a dying battery?? I hope so, cuz I don't want it to be anything more...

bump

anyone know what the problem is?? (look one post up)

I can tell you what it's not!
.... not your starter as it's turning over fine.
..... not your battery unless it's turning over very slow?

Have you tried changing your plugs? or checked for spark from your coils?

hmmm... I just changed my plugs back in July, maybe I'll just let it go for now

Thread Stealer! Just Kidding...
Well, I'm from the North Shore area so I drove, or attempted to drive it to the garage but died on the highway. Breakdown lane, but of course, those lanes are never wide enough. Anyways, it was sleeting out and I pulled over, GF called AAA and tow truck came and towed it. Its at the garage now and the guy will call me today to let me know what's wrong with it. From what I read, I guess its the alternator. I'm not really on a budget, but I would rather not spend a crapload of money on it either. They gave me a quote of 320 and it includes labor. Not sure if its rebuilt or brand new, haven't asked yet. But is that a good price?

On a side note, just want to tell you guys to be careful if you ever pull over on the side of the road. I pulled over and not long after we were on the phone with AAA, an SUV came flying by us... SIDEWAYS.. I watched the whole thing and he did a 360 and crashed into the guardrail about 3 car lengths in front of mine. So.. its not something that could've been prevented but just stand behind the guardrails when you can..


Anyways.. Back to my question!

Thanks!

Ok now when you mean it doesnt catch is it that your car starts up, but then quickly dies? If thats what you mean then I just had the same problem. It would be on cold days and it would take a good amount of revs on the engine to keep the car from dying, I just took it into the shop and was told my crank sensor needs to be replaced. So as we speak my car is in getting the sensor replaced. We'll see if that takes car of the problem!