Possible Battery or Alternator Issue?

Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HONDA ACCORD
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,326 MILES
Back again with another potential issue. This morning I woke up to an absolutely dead car while yesterday it was driving perfectly fine. As you can see from my most recent post, I replaced the alternator and battery at the end of March this year. I had someone give me a jump and the car started right away but as soon as I turned it off and tried to start it, it did not turn on. After a few times of doing that the car was able to stay on but later started throwing what seemed like vapor. I let it run for about 10 minutes and it turns off and on just fine, but I am worried about driving it to work now. Any guesses?
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 5:34 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
Another thing I wanted to add is this weird sort of whining sound that seems like it is coming from the dash inside the cabin, not sure if the video did a good job of capturing it but I do not remember hearing this noise before. The car is not overheating or anything like that either.
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 5:37 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
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Checked the car a few hours later, completely dead again.
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
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Hello,

Looking at the first video the "vapor" seems to be coming from the back of the engine.
This would exclude the alternator as this is located to the lower side front. See image 1 below.

Perhaps an exhaust leak?

Your issue seems to be either a faulty battery, yes new batteries can get faulty, or a parasitic battery drain.

A few articles:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-car-battery
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Cheers, Boris
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 12:32 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
It’s funny you mentioned that, when I had the car running, I managed to scan it with the Bluetooth OBD scanner I have and a “PO134” code came up, indicating some sort of a issue with an oxygen sensor. Before that, as in the last couple months, my check engine light would occasionally come on and off in its own with a “PO430” code, indicating the catalyst system below threshold Bank 2. Should I replace the cat converter or the o2 sensors? Also, I dropped the battery off at AutoZone for charging and testing, I will be picking it up this morning so I will let you know.
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
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  • 395 POSTS
Just went to AutoZone, guy told me battery did not charge at all overnight, so it is bad. Just got a new one and about to install it.
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
Car started right up and drives well. A second issue now, the A/C is blowing room temperature air, no longer cold, my luck never stops, I guess. I also dropped the car off at a shop, they will be replacing the Bank 2 cat converter.
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 836 POSTS
Hello,

Relating to your air-conditioning issue I would suggest letting the shop which is doing your exhaust check out the refrigerant level in the A/C system. If low or empty let them check for leaks and, if none found, recharge the A/C system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-air-conditioner-works
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

Cheers, Boris
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 12:24 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
The shop I took it to was one I haven’t gone to before and they told me they would not know what the A/C issue would be since they only specialize in mufflers and cat converters. The hissing sound is prominent from the air vents, and I tried to refill it with refrigerant last night, but it did not seem to work at all.
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 6:33 AM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 836 POSTS
Hello,

This hissing sound sounds like either an A/C leak or the A/C system making a hissing sound when operated. The expansion valve can make hissing noises when the refrigerant pressure is not what it should be.

Is there any odor coming from vents?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-air-conditioner-works
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection
and
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon
and
https://youtu.be/gokhNvCFuCg

Cheers, Boris
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 8:38 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
No noticeable odors coming from the vents but now I am starting to wonder if that vapor or smoke that blew from the back of the engine was possibly a refrigerant line that blew? Because I had no hissing noises or A/C issues up until that very moment just two days ago. Also, I am not sure if I simply do not know how to use a refrigerant refill bottle or the A/C system had no freon at all because when I plugged it into the low-pressure hose line, the valve remained in the same spot even after squeezing the bottle a handful of times.
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 9:23 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
Another thing I noticed yesterday that I wanted you to take a look at is this sound that seems to be coming from within the engine when the car is turned off. It sounds like air pressure is released followed by a couple clicks. Any guesses?
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 9:26 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I noticed we haven't been in touch for a couple of days. Have you been able to make any progress? We are interested in knowing.

Let us know.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
So, I ended up replacing the front cat converter in bank 2, that seemed to get rid of the check engine light I kept getting. The AC issue was a bad AC compressor, it wasn’t spinning so I had that replaced on Saturday and now I have cold air. However, that air pressure release sound that seems to come from within the engine is still there. It happens when I turn off the car, there’s a sound similar to air being released and then two clicking sounds. I posted a video of it so you can get an idea.
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
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Here is that video again.
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It sounds like the A/C system high pressure pop off valve it letting go, does the A/C system have too much refrigerant?
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Thursday, June 1st, 2023 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
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  • 395 POSTS
How would I be able to check that? Since the shop replaced my compressor, I am assuming they took care of filling the refrigerant.
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Thursday, June 1st, 2023 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

You would need to check system pressures. To do that, you will need AC manifold gauges.

Here is a link that shows the gauges being used. In the link, it explains how the system is charged and checked via these gauges. However, they can be used just to check the system pressure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Oftentimes, a parts store will lend you the tool. If you can't get one, I would return the vehicle to the people that did the work and ask them to check the pressure in the system. If you do this, record both the high and low-pressure readings and note the ambient temp when checked.

Let us know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, June 1st, 2023 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 395 POSTS
So, it turned out that I had a short circuit issue because my new battery died once again. The A/C clutch relay was short circuited and kept running as if it were still on, so I got that replaced and no issues anymore, no check engine light at all since I've replaced the cat converter and my A/C is blowing cold. So far so good.
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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Thank you for the update. That can certainly cause a problem and drain the battery. I'm glad to know the problem is resolved.

Feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 AT 9:04 PM

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