Like to get some opinions on a recurring problem. It's happened twice, both times after a heavy rain. The car will sometimes barely start. If it does start it will run but will stutter and try and kick the airconditioning off. With lights on its worse. Happened again tonight. Went on a 30 minute drive and then stopped for an hour. Tried to start and it went errrrrrrrrr. Had to get a jump start. When I got home I checked the battery with the car running....13.5 volts BUT the car was making a very strange noise, kind of a moan that would go back and forth.

So my original thought was that I might have a bad battery. Far as I know it is original, my Max is a 97 SE with 72K that I bought used two years ago. But the battery seems to be charged at 12 volts. Now I'm thinking that it might be the charging system. The top of the alternator belt looks pretty glazed. I have no idea when or if the belts have been changed.

How about some suggestions?

Here's what I'm thinking.
1) Off to the Nissan Dealer to change out both drive belts and have them do a check of the alternator too.

2) replace the battery ( could I just have a couple of bad cells and the cranking power has just gone to zip?)

One more thing. One time, not too long ago, I had washed Max and then I was putting wax on him. I put the windows down and turned up the stereo. Didn't seem like it was that long but I killed the battery. Had to jump start him and then everything was fine.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Possibly a slipping belt. When it's wet outside, do you get a squealing noise coming from the engine? Also, you can check the belt deflection.

Also could be an alternator or bad ground from the battery.

You can have an autoparts store do a free charging system test and verify that it's the battery before going to the dealer or buying a new battery.

-V

btw, running down a lead acid battery isn't too good for the battery and could reduce the capacity of the battery in the long run. they don't take to deep cycling too well.

 

Im going to a loose belt to the alternator or your alternator is slowly dying.

 

Not so much a squealing but a moaning that kind of surges. I'm thinking more and more that it's the belt...slipping/tension maybe just worn out. Hope it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg

Thanks guys

 

You have already received good advice from other posters. I am responding only because you called out my name in the Subject line.

Some auto parts stores offer a no-cost charging system test. This is done with an electronic test instrument and takes only two minutes. Please get this test done. Do not go to the dealer because he will do the same test but charge you for the service.