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Car Battery Questions and Answers - This category contains featured questions
as examples. They relate to most vehicles.
Question: 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager 3.3L mileage: 67,080. Approximately,
30 days ago I had my local roadside service give me a jump due to a "low battery".
Since then, the "Rear Wiper", "Intermittent Rear Wiper", "Re-circulation", and the
"A/C" buttons on the environmental control panel all blink in unison for approximately
16 -18 minutes immediately after starting the engine. These same 4 buttons also
begin to blink when the key is in the "On" position. All 4 buttons function normally
during this "blinking" phase. My only observation during this time has been the
difficulty in "starting" the engine first thing in the morning when the engine is
cold. The engine is slow to crank but does eventually turn over. I have checked
the battery cells and they all seem to have enough fluid. The battery is the original
Mopar battery and probably should be replaced. But, I wouldn't think this has anything
to do with the blinking buttons. Any ideas as to why the buttons blink and then
stop?
Answer: First, load test your battery and replace if necessary.
Check all the fuses; if okay, scan the body control module as it may have been damaged
when you had battery problems.
Question: 1993 Chevy Geo Prism 1.8 lt mileage: 82,000. The
battery charging light came on, so we took it in to a shop and had the battery changed.
The light stayed on. We then took it in to the dealer and they put in a rebuilt
alternator. That was three months ago. Today, the battery light came on again, and
the power steering has become really tight. Is it possible that some other part
of the electrical charging system may be the problem? If so, what?
Answer: First thing to check would be the drive belt. Make
sure that it is tensioned properly and not slipping. Next, check the alternator
output.
Question: 1998 Chevy Cavalier V6 mileage: 118,000.00.
Hello. I have a 1998 Chevy Cavalier Whenever I apply the brakes, my headlights
and dash lights get dim. I have recently noticed that when the brakes are
applied or the fan engages, everything goes dim and the car acts as if it is going
to cut off. I would describe it like when you are sitting in your house and
you light flicker on and off real quick in a thunderstorm. Can you please
help me with this?
Answer: From what you tell us, it sounds like you may be having
trouble with your charging system. Have your battery load tested and check
the alternator output for voltage and amperage. Also, check the various ground
wires throughout the car.
Question: 1997 Chevy Cavalier z24 3.1 v6 mileage: 120,000.
While driving my car to work (headlights, heater, radio on) I noticed the battery
gauge stays normal but whenever I turn my rear defrost on and my car is idling at
a stop light, the battery gauge drops to almost nothing. Before my car dies
I switch the rear defrost off and it returns to normal. While driving
with the rear, defrost on the battery gauge rises a little but still low.
I needed a new alternator about 6 months ago and replaced it so I cannot have another
bad one? Alternatively, is it my battery? Or a short? Anyway to
test it or should I take it in to be tested?
Answer: From what you tell us, it sounds like you may be having
trouble with your charging system. Have your battery load tested and check
the alternator output for voltage and amperage.
Question: 1996 Mazda RX7 GTU 4 cyl mileage: 100,000. My son replaced
the battery cables and the battery when the car wouldn't start; still no good.
Next he replaced the main fuse and tried to start it--blew the fuse. Have
you any idea where in the wiring he should look first (I don't know anything about
cars, you might guess). The problem is also that I just replaced the clutch
and this car now seems Hopeless. The dealer got my money and now is not helpful.
(You probably hear complaints a lot--sorry) help, please.
Answer: Check the ground straps from the engine/transmission
to the frame. One may be loose or left off.
Question: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT v6 mileage: 85,000. I have had
trouble with my battery; it was a very strong factory battery, never had any problems
until the other day, it does not turn over unless jumped. The battery is not
dead - I can use the radio and the automatic locking system and lights all work.
But, it won’t turn over unless jumped. When the hood was up I noticed rat
poop all over the battery and scattered around the engine. Still the truck started
and drove fine once jumped; there were no noises or signs of trouble. I even
turned the car off and on a couple of times and had no trouble. Have any idea
what could be going on, I have a suspicion it has something to do with the rats.
Answer: The rats probably will not hurt the battery but can do damage
to rubber hoses and wiring. As to your no start problem, have the battery
load tested, it maybe “over the hill.”
Question: 1 year ago, I had the battery in my car replaced at Pep Boys.
After starting the car with the new battery installed, I noticed the air bag indicator
light was flashing. This warning light had never come on before. Recently at my
90,000-mile maintenance check, I had the dealer check the air bag system, and he
told me there was an open circuit in the air bag control system, which would cost
$900 to repair. I haven't had this 'problem' fixed. Forward to this week. I had
my starter replaced, and today when I picked it up and drove off the lot, I noticed
the maintenance indicator light was on. Again, this light had never come on before,
and now after having my starter replaced it does. My owner's manual states that
this light indicates a potential emission control problem. I took it back to the
mechanic to check into this, and he checked the 'coding', whatever that is. He determined
it was a hard code, and they couldn't reset it. He suggests I take the car to the
dealer to check, which I'm sure will result in another $1000 repair recommendation.
It seems too coincidental to me to suddenly have problems with the air bag and emission
control systems, after having these unrelated repairs performed. Do you have any
ideas related to what could be causing these warning lights to come on, and how
I can have them reset without having needless and expensive repair done? I would
appreciate any ideas. Thanks. James
Answer: The warning lights will come on if the battery is disconnected
and reconnected. To "reset" the light, a special scanner is required. An independent
auto service center can do this for you.
Question: 1997 Ford F-150 mileage: 66,000. I am on my third battery in
this truck. The voltmeter seems to set at a different voltage from one start up
to another. Sometimes around 11 volts, sometimes up around 14. It doesn't always
fluctuate with engine speed, but sometimes it will drop when at idle. I'm wondering
if I have a alternator problem or a voltage regulator problem?
Answer: You are right the voltage regulator/alternator may
be failing. But first check the drive belt for the alternator. Is it glazed and
slipping? Is it tightened properly? Also, check the ground wires. Are they making
a good connection?
Question: A few days ago I went through water two feet deep
and my car died in the middle of the road. I pushed it out of the water and after
20 minutes, I tried to jump-start it. After several tries, the car started. Two
days later, the car stalled and the battery was dead with battery indicator sign
on. I replaced the battery and the car started fine but the battery indicator light
is still on. I am afraid that it will stop again, what should I do?
Answer: Have the charging system on your car checked. Your
alternator may not be charging the battery.
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