Sulfur odor?

IGARY01

MEMBER
2004 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
111,000 MILES

About 2 months ago my partner left my car at idle and my low lights on and that resulted in my battery fuse blowing. It had no power or crank. I replaced it that day, but new problems surface. For like a month now, every time I try to start my car there’s power and it cranks but it has to be jumped as it will not start on its own. And every day it sits it loses more power. I can't even use my keys to unlock my doors (only manually). And I’ve noticed a smell like sulfur, or rotten eggs when the car is running, and anytime I turn on my AC/ heat it gets worse! My engine check light came on one night, and turned off and hasn’t been back on since and that was about 3 weeks ago. If anybody could give some insight as to what it might be, that’d be greatly appreciated!

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,310 POSTS

Hi,

Have you had the battery tested? Will the engine crank at all without jump-starting it? Also, after driving it, will it start by itself shortly after turning it off?

Let me know. I have a feeling either the battery itself is the problem, a weak connection to the battery, or the alternator isn't recharging it.

Is the sulfur smell from the exhaust? If it is due to lower voltage, we may be getting too much or little fuel to the engine. That, in conjunction with the catalytic converter, can create a sulfur smell.

Let me know.

Joe

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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 6:40 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,057 POSTS

There is only one thing that causes a sulfur smell and that is the battery. Remember that this smell is hydrogen and is flammable, use gloves and protective eyewear for safety. It is rare but the battery can explode if there is spark or flame around the battery. Here is a guide to help you change out the battery with instruction below for your car, also you should check the charging system to make sure the alternator is not overcharging the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

and

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

Check out the video.

https://youtu.be/eRtASw5Tnrk

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 6:41 PM