Battery Issue

[gschotland]

Originally Posted by rangersplash

I can check this by pulling the cover behind the seats correct? How do I get this cover off?

Very easy, just remove the carpet behind the seats, which will expose a metal access panel. There are about 8-10 bolts holding the cover in place. You'll need a rachet and 10mm (I think) socket. A short extension will be useful as well. The belt will be right in front of you as you remove the cover. If your belt is broken, it's surprisingly easy and inexpensive to replace yourself.

If your belt's in good shape, the next think I'd check is the alternator. Your flickering battery and ABS lights make me think this is the problem. Ditto for the immediate shutdown after the jump. Replace your battery, which you said you were thinking about doing anyway. Search for the site for posts on troubleshooting your alternator. If you know your battery and belt are good, testing the alternator with a simple digital multimeter is easy.

My alternator recently died with absolutely no notice at ~71k miles, not more than a week after I installed a new battery. Repeated jumps got me a few miles each until I got home. I replaced the alternator with a remanufactured unit and it's been fine since.

BTW, you didn't mention your car's mileage.

[rangersplash]

Originally Posted by gschotland

Very easy, just remove the carpet behind the seats, which will expose a metal access panel. There are about 8-10 bolts holding the cover in place. You'll need a rachet and 10mm (I think) socket. A short extension will be useful as well. The belt will be right in front of you as you remove the cover. If your belt is broken, it's surprisingly easy and inexpensive to replace yourself.

If your belt's in good shape, the next think I'd check is the alternator. Your flickering battery and ABS lights make me think this is the problem. Ditto for the immediate shutdown after the jump. Replace your battery, which you said you were thinking about doing anyway. Search for the site for posts on troubleshooting your alternator. If you know your battery and belt are good, testing the alternator with a simple digital multimeter is easy.

My alternator recently died with absolutely no notice at ~71k miles, not more than a week after I installed a new battery. Repeated jumps got me a few miles each until I got home. I replaced the alternator with a remanufactured unit and it's been fine since.

BTW, you didn't mention your car's mileage.

Thanks for these tips. I have a DMM that I'm going to bring home from work tomorrow to use. I am thinking if I can get it running I can check what is going into the battery. I am at 86k or so. Maybe 87, not really sure

I know the battery is about 5 years old so that will be a good part to buy regardless.

I'll let everybody know how it goes. Oh, the headlights went out just before this happened along with the radio too. This is why maybe I'm thinking either the alternator or belt.

Thanks again guys.

[gschotland]

Your car's mileage and the additional symptoms you describe tell me it's almost definitely the alternator. Get the new battery on the way home from work to rule that out as an issue. You'll need to open the top engine cover to access the test location for the alternator.

[roadracer311]

A new battery will get you home. But it really sounds like your alternator has failed. (or as others have mentioned, possibly the belt, but then you'd be overheating too).

[jmatta]

Old batteries can cause all sorts of strange issues. It not only provides stored energy for starting, but remains a voltage buffer for the entire electrical system. My car experienced odd behavior and it all disappeared after replacing the battery.

On another note (not equal by any means), my son's Jeep Liberty was stalling for no reason recently. Battery had plenty of juice to start the car, but it would die at stop lights, not being able to hold an idle. I replaced the battery and all symptoms went away.

You may be fortunately that this is the only issue.

[rangersplash]

Thanks for the tips guys. I am going to pick up a new battery tonight and then take a voltage measurement. Then I'll hook it up and start the car and that should tell me if the alternator is working as I'll see somewhere around 14V.

[rangersplash]

Well battery didn't fix it. Guess I'll go get an alternator tomorrow. Any other ideas guys? I was able to drive it home by the way but the damn lights started to flicker when I got very close to home.

Edit:

Any idea where I can pick one up? I am thinking about doing something local. O Riley wants about $200. Online anywhere? I didn't see it on Pelican parts or Suncoast. Should I stick with OEM for this?

Thanks guys!