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Started By
Message
OT Mechanics: Is my battery dying or is it something worse?
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:10 am
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:10 am
Update: when I turned on the car the voltage was around 11.5. Would this indicate it’s most likely the battery?
-My electric door locks barely work, sometimes they seem to have a little extra juice and click shut but most of the time they either half lock or don't lock at all.
-My car seems a little slow to start and makes a high frequency clicking sound after startup
-My traction control randomly malfunctions for a few days then will behave normally for a few weeks then repeat
-My key gets stuck in the ignition at random when turning the car off
My battery is at least 2 years old. I bought the car used in May 2017 and don't know when they would have replaced it last.
ETA: The car seems to have a battery sensor and its reading about 14 volts and saying its normal but I've never had the battery die on me before so I'm unsure how reliable this sensor is.
-My electric door locks barely work, sometimes they seem to have a little extra juice and click shut but most of the time they either half lock or don't lock at all.
-My car seems a little slow to start and makes a high frequency clicking sound after startup
-My traction control randomly malfunctions for a few days then will behave normally for a few weeks then repeat
-My key gets stuck in the ignition at random when turning the car off
My battery is at least 2 years old. I bought the car used in May 2017 and don't know when they would have replaced it last.
ETA: The car seems to have a battery sensor and its reading about 14 volts and saying its normal but I've never had the battery die on me before so I'm unsure how reliable this sensor is.
This post was edited on 6/5/19 at 4:28 pm
16
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:11 am to jlovel7
Battery may be dying bc the alternator is also dying.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:12 am to CaptainsWafer
quote:
Battery may be dying bc the alternator is also dying.
Are you saying these seem like symptoms of an alternator problem?
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:14 am to jlovel7
If your battery is dead nothing electronic will work with the engine off. If your alternator is weak you are still making electricity but not enough to run everything with the proper voltage which sounds like your problem. Go get it tested. Easy procedure at an auto store.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:15 am to jlovel7
A weak battery can cause all kinds of funky shite to happen.
Take it to an auto parts store; most of them offer free testing for batteries and alternators.
Try to go when it isn't raining.
It does sound like you've got a charging or battery issue.
Take it to an auto parts store; most of them offer free testing for batteries and alternators.
Try to go when it isn't raining.
It does sound like you've got a charging or battery issue.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:17 am to xrockfordf150x
Most any auto parts store can load test your battery.
It does sound as if it is getting weak. Today's cars are very sensitive to weak batteries and will show all kinds of weird symptoms.
It does sound as if it is getting weak. Today's cars are very sensitive to weak batteries and will show all kinds of weird symptoms.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:21 am to jlovel7
Sounds like a bad alternator, or you could have a parasitic draw from the battery.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:21 am to jlovel7
Could be. Changing an alternator isn’t much harder than changing a battery.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:23 am to jlovel7
First get the battery load tested free at a parts store - O'Reilly, Advance, AZone, NAPA, etc., then do the alt.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:25 am to jlovel7
I’d check the connections. Especially at the starter. Loose connections can cause all kinds of craziness. Also either load test the charging system or have someone test it. Places will check that for free
This post was edited on 6/5/19 at 11:28 am
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:27 am to jlovel7
Your car has tailpipe AIDS.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:33 am to jlovel7
1st, most batteries will have some sort of age indicator on them. Usually a sticker with the month and year of installation punched out on it. Not 100% foolproof on the exact age of the battery, but at least an indicator of the approximate age.
2nd, with today's vehicles, you rarely get a series of slow starts due to a dying battery. They usually give you no warning. It's like the battery is good one start and dead the next.
3rd, unless the battery is really dead, your accessories should be working pretty normally.
4th, if the battery gauge on the dash is showing 14v, I assume that's while the car is running. That would indicate that the alternator is providing adequate charging.
The clicking AFTER starting is different.
This may be the root of the problem. You may have an ignition that is failing.
2nd, with today's vehicles, you rarely get a series of slow starts due to a dying battery. They usually give you no warning. It's like the battery is good one start and dead the next.
3rd, unless the battery is really dead, your accessories should be working pretty normally.
4th, if the battery gauge on the dash is showing 14v, I assume that's while the car is running. That would indicate that the alternator is providing adequate charging.
The clicking AFTER starting is different.
quote:
-My key gets stuck in the ignition at random when turning the car off
This may be the root of the problem. You may have an ignition that is failing.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:37 am to Boudreaux35
I just dropped it off at the firestone next to my work. $27 to test battery, starter, and alternator. Seems like there was some leg work I could have done on my own but tbh I’d be doing it all for the first time and I’m not sure I’d be able to properly diagnose it on my own.
Eta: also if the ignition is going bad how would that affect the electric locks?
Eta: also if the ignition is going bad how would that affect the electric locks?
This post was edited on 6/5/19 at 11:38 am
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:38 am to jlovel7
Dude, this is serious and you better get that checked out right away. This can happen to you at any minute:
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:39 am to jlovel7
Auto Zone will charge you tree fiddy to test your battery and alternator for the aids.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:48 am to jlovel7
...alternator going out. Running down your battery. Just had to replace mine (alternator). Take it to AutoZone and let them run a check on it. Free.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:48 am to jlovel7
quote:
also if the ignition is going bad how would that affect the electric locks?
Possibly the ignition is not disengaging completely and causing a draw on your battery.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:49 am to jlovel7
...alternator going out. Running down your battery. Just had to replace mine (alternator). Take it to AutoZone and let them run a check on it. Free.
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:55 am to jlovel7
quote:
$27 to test
So, 9 people tell you that everybody and their momma tests these items for free, and you find the only place in the world that charges?
What's that old saying about fools and their money?
Posted on 6/5/19 at 11:58 am to TSLG
For those saying his alternator is going bad explain how his voltmeter is showing 14v when running.
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