Battery light turned on two days late the car shut off while driving

Tiny
BPARSONS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 226,000 MILES
My battery indicator came on the other day and then went off. Two days later the car shut off while I was driving it. I jiggled the battery terminal connectors and it started up. I've started it twice since then and the battery indicator light has not come on. Do I have a bad connection or possibly something more serious?
Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 AT 8:47 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
If the battery is 2 to 3 years old you should think about replacing it soon. You need to remove and clean tighten the battery connections now. Check and make sure the alternator belt is on and tight also.
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Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
As stated above. Make sure your battery terminal connections are tight. You said you wiggled them and it started. You should not be able to move the terminal clamps at all. Clean them up and make sure they are pushed down on the terminal as far as you can (the terminal is coned shaped to accommodate if the clamp is too big where it is now). I would then take it to a pro or a parts store and have them checking the battery/charging system for free.
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Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
BPARSONS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I cleaned the battery connections but I can't locate the alternator belt. Can you give me a clue?
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Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
Find alternator the belt will be there.
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Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening,

I would check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. It needs to be 14 to 14.5 volts.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

If it is low, the belt can be loose and the light would still be off. This is the reason it is shutting off from low voltage.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

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Monday, March 30th, 2020 AT 5:36 PM

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