Is it the battery or altenator?
03-29-2005, 07:47 AM
#1
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it the battery or alternator? (Power steering pump question now included.) Driving home last night, I noticed my instrument panel lights weren't as bright as usual. A few miles down the road, the check guages light comes on.
Check gas guage first: 3/4 tank.
Temp guage: just under 210
Oil pressure: fine
Battery: down in the yellow hatchmark, around 10 or so amps
Keep on driving home and a few more miles down the road, the ABS and TCS kick off. Down to aroun 9 amps. About 2 miles before I get home, the Air Bag light comes on along with the Service Vehicle light. Down to almost 8 amps. Turn onto our sidestreet, whole instrument panel dies. Its still lit up, just not reading anything on any guage including the odometer.
Pull into the driveway and shut it off then try to restart it and nothing.
Check gas guage first: 3/4 tank.
Temp guage: just under 210
Oil pressure: fine
Battery: down in the yellow hatchmark, around 10 or so amps
Keep on driving home and a few more miles down the road, the ABS and TCS kick off. Down to aroun 9 amps. About 2 miles before I get home, the Air Bag light comes on along with the Service Vehicle light. Down to almost 8 amps. Turn onto our sidestreet, whole instrument panel dies. Its still lit up, just not reading anything on any guage including the odometer.
Pull into the driveway and shut it off then try to restart it and nothing.
Last edited by XtreemeChaos; 03-29-2005 at 03:10 PM. Reason: Title Change
03-29-2005, 08:00 AM
#2
Launching!
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had a loose battery cable give me a headache once or twice. That would be my first move.
I've also had a bad battery prevent my car from shifting higher than 2nd gear before. Many of the lights lit up as well. If the terminals are tight I would guess battery. If you have access to another car take the battery to Autozone, or some place like it, and have them do a check on it.
Bad batteries can screw with modern car electronics royaly. They need consistent power.
I've also had a bad battery prevent my car from shifting higher than 2nd gear before. Many of the lights lit up as well. If the terminals are tight I would guess battery. If you have access to another car take the battery to Autozone, or some place like it, and have them do a check on it.
Bad batteries can screw with modern car electronics royaly. They need consistent power.
03-29-2005, 08:36 AM
#3
On The Tree
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats like dejavu that exact thing happened yesterday, i took it in to have someone look at it and the voltage regulator (in alternator) was screwed so i got a new alternator and my battery wouldnt hold a charge so i got a new one
03-29-2005, 08:56 AM
#4
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
uggh.. that may be my problem then too. I've also had a power steering leak that I haven't been able to track down which may have caused the alternator to go.
Can a place like Advance check alternators if you bring it in by itself (off the car)?
Can a place like Advance check alternators if you bring it in by itself (off the car)?
03-29-2005, 09:00 AM
#5
TECH Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Once the car is on you are running off your altenator so its gotta be something with your altenator. Could be a ground or the actual alt itself. I would check the wire (maybe even replace it). If it keeps up replace the alt.
03-29-2005, 02:56 PM
#6
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is exactly what happened to me when my alternator died. I had replaced my power steering pump for leaking just before that. I would just do them both at the same time.
03-29-2005, 03:10 PM
#7
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How do you know if the whole power steering pump is bad? I bought a new seal kit and am going to take it apart tomorrow, but need to know what to look for besides loose/busted hoses or bad seals.
The pump didn't make any noticeable noises except for when it was low on fluid. Topped it off and was quiet again.
The pump didn't make any noticeable noises except for when it was low on fluid. Topped it off and was quiet again.
Trending Topics
03-29-2005, 03:46 PM
#8
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Midland, TX
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know how to fix your PSP but I agree with 2MuchRice. It has to be the alt. I wonder if PS fluid is conductive. If it is, it may be grounding through the fluid collecting on the alt or it may be screwing with the internals of the alt. I'd take the alt in to get it checked. I might even find something that is safe for electronics like the alt but can clean out the fluid. After you clean it, take it in for the test and if it's still bad, its the alt.