While idling all the warning lights went on, the gauges started jumping up and down, windows wouldn't roll up, power steering would not.

JSCHAI

MEMBER
2011 ACURA TSX
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Recently the battery has been draining while not in use, we've needed jump starts. Today, while parked but running, suddenly all the warning lights went on, the gauges started jumping up and down, windows wouldn't roll up, power steering wouldn't work. Turned the car off. Needed jump to restart. Same lights, gauges, etc. We left it parked in the lot where we were. We've had no issues with it in the 1.5 years we've had it. I can't afford a tow, diagnostic, repair.I need to have some idea what's wrong so I can afford to fix it!

1 Reply

AL514

MECHANIC
4,125 POSTS

Hello, if this started happening while the vehicle was still running it sounds like the charging system or battery is failing. Low voltage will cause all kinds of strange things to happen, do you have a multimeter to check the check what the voltage at the battery is, while it's running and then when the vehicle is off? The battery might not be holding a charge, or the Alternator failed and took out the battery in the process. That doesn't sound like a parasitic drain on the battery, which wouldn't affect it while running. You need to see what the battery voltage is while it's running first and then take it from there. If the battery has failed and is not taking a charge, the Alternator will become overworked having to constantly keep trying to charge a battery that might have shorted cells inside, that can over work and overheat the alternator.
So, get a basic $20.00 multimeter so you can check the dc voltage and find out what's going on with the electrical system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-car-battery