Is thia a computer problem or something else

Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 18,000 MILES
Car dies on me thought battery was dead so bought a new one. Worked for a bout a week & now its going crazy. The locks are unlocking & locking dashboard lights are flickering message board going crazy then the car will die. Try to start it & it sounds like its dead. Get a jump & it will only go a block or two before it dies. Was told battery & alternator was good.I'm at a loss can I fix my self
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 1:21 AM

108 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
Okay, it sounds like the battery is going dead. What I need you to do is fully charge the battery and then, using a volt meter, check how many volts the battery is producing with the engine and key off. It should be around 12v. If below, have the "new" battery checked again. If it is above 12, start the engine and recheck battery voltage. With the engine running, it should show around 14v. If it doesn't change, either the alt is bad or the fuseable link between the alt and the battery is bad and not allowing the alternator to charge the battery.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 1:26 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
Its kinda broke down @ a gas station @ the moment.I haven't been able to get any help.I'm a single mom w/short fundage. Could the diagnostic test @ the auto zones have been wrong about the battery & alternator being good?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 1:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
Yes, and here is why. When they check, they check the units as individual parts. The alt may be good, just not able to get the power to the battery.

I'll help you through this. Is there anyway for you to remove the battery and recharge it? Again, most parts stores will charge it for free, but you need to get it there.

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 1:37 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
Yes but unfortunately I wont be able to get it tonight I dont have a sitter hahaha. Soon as I get the kids off to school in the morning I was going to walk down were its at & I can go to the auto store then.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 1:43 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
Do that (sorry you have to walk). Have them charge the battery and then put it back in the car. At that point, the car should start to get you home. Drive it home but no further than you need to. If the alt isn't charging, the battery will go dead again and strand you.

You will need a simple volt meter to do the next check.

Hope you're not in a dangerous area to be walking around.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 1:58 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
Well I just happen to live in a rough neighborhood but I have a dog he's pretty protective over me.I've come to realize you can't count on anyone so the walk isn't to bad. Someone had me take the cable off the battery & said if it shut off it was the alternator, when I did that it still stayed on. Is that true?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 2:12 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
That is true. However, is the alt producing enough to maintain the electronics and the battery is the question.

Get the battery recharged tomorrow and we'll go from there. BE CAREFUL.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 2:57 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
OK. Sorry took so long.I had my neighbors daughter sit w/my kids while they slept I walked down to my car & was trying to make sure they didn't have it towed.I saw that there was a wire coming out of the dashboard but wasn't connected, couldn't figure out where it went. The locks & radio lights were flickering & making noises w/o the key in the ignition. Crazy I wanted to thank you for your help & curious how to get in touch w/you tomorrow? Hope you have a great evening
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 4:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
I'm glad to help. Listen, I'm not sure what the wire is from, but the locks may be reacting from a really low battery.

As far as tomorrow, continue adding to this link. I will receive an email when you add to it. Then, I can get back to you. Usually, I don't start until around noon.

You shouldn't have walked there at night if it is a bad area. Get yourself and kids out of that area. You seem really nice.

Take care and you have a good evening too. We'll talk tomorrow.

Joe
PS: I may have another tech read this post to make sure I am directing you properly. He may have some additional ideas too. So, don't be surprised to see someone jump in and add thoughts.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 4:56 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
I had to move it cause it was blocking a gas pump.I will definitely email you tomorrow!Night night
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 5:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
Take care. Just noticed your user name. Bucsfan. You're not in pittsburgh are you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
DEFINITELY SOUNDS LIKE BATTERY/ CHARGING ISSUE

BE SURE TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT BATTERY BEFORE CHARGING---REASON--COMPUTER MAY NEED TO RESET

TRY ANOTHER PARTS STORE!!!!----MAY HAVE A DEFECTIVE TESTER OR A DEFECTIVE TESTER!!! CELL PHONES PLAY A BIG PART IN THE TYPE SERVICE YOU RECEIVE ANY MORE!

IF YOU HAVE, OR CAN GET A CHEAP VOLTMETER---jacobandnickolas OR I, CAN TALK YOU THRU TESTING TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING---YOU CAN GET ONE FOR UNDER $15........OR JUST LOOK AT THIS, GIVE US YOUR RESULTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq24oPUVmdA

LOTS OF SIMILAR VIDEOS---THIS ONE IS EZ TO UNDERSTAND

AS FAR AS, IF YOU NEED SOMETHING REPLACED AND CANNOT DO IT YOURSELF---WE MAY CAN GIVE YOU SOME SUGGESTIONS, AVOIDING A BIG SHOP.

KEEP COMING BACK HERE, KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
U guys r awesome. And I'm in Nashville but I'm from Florida so I'm a Tampa fan. But I do love me some big ben he rocks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 6:05 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
I was wondering. If you were near it would be easier to direct you. Take care, and I told the other guy to look for your reply. He is online before me.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 6:08 AM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
Good morning, well afternoon I suppose.I had them test the battery & they said it was reading 13v.I'm so scared its going to be a computer problem from what I've heard that stuff is expensive
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,071 POSTS
Hello. Was that after being recharged or was that as soon as you took it in? Also, did they "Load test" the battery?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
I'm assuming it was after.I dropped it off & went to get a bite.I haven't made it back to the car yet but I'm on my way.I have the battery I replaced was going to have them charge it to. Could my battery have a bad cell? Not sure what that is sum1 just mentioned it
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
I had bought the new battery from sum1 & not a store, which was probably a mistake but I really had no choice. The car had died & the steering locked up, that's what prompted me to get another battery
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
YEAH. WHAT HE SAID!

SLEPT IN LATE bucsfan5?BEEN WAITIN ON YOU SINCE 'BOUT 0900 THIS MORN!

THOUGHT YOU WERE BUYIN' BREAKFAST

NOW I SEE YOU'RE CHEATIN' ON ME AND GOIN' TO LUNCH W/ J & N

C, MON NOW---- HE DON'T EVEN HAVE A JEEP--I HAVE 2 REAL ONES!

NO! J&N--YOU CAN'T HAVE ONE!

WE ARE SORTA FEELIN' LIKE MAYBE YOUR ALTERNATOR MAYBE SHOULD BE PUTTIN' OUT A LITTLE MORE THAN "13 VOLTS"MAYBE CLOSER TO 14 OR SO--ONTO A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY

LETS TRY A DIFFERENT STORE IF YOU CAN GET THERE--GET IT LOAD TESTED

OR BETTER STILL WHEN YOU AND J & N FINISH CHOW, HE'LL CHECK IT! LOL!

KEEP ON TALKIN', WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO HOME TILL YOU ARE RUNNING!

THE MEDIC
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
BUCSFAN5
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
OK.I'm waiting to see if sum1 shows up to help. But I'm not counting on it, if they do I will go to another store.I am having trouble finding the alternator, is it underneath, I thought I saw it when I changed the oil a couple weeks ago
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 AT 6:16 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Computer Content

Engine Computer
GUIDE
Engine Computer
The automotive engine computer, also known as the ECU, PCM or ECM (Engine control unit, Powertrain control module, Engine control module), is central to a vehicle’s ...
VIEW MORE