What is wrong with my car?
By rosegardens
@rosegardens (3034)
United States
February 14, 2011 4:56pm CST
Hello fellow mylotters. This weekend we have had temperatures above freezing, and I stayed indoors because I was sick. I did not start my car. Today, I had to go someplace, started the car and it would not start. I had to have 3 jumps already, one right after I changed the alternator and another one just last week. Got a jump from a neighbor, did my thing and went to Auto Zone to have it checked. The only thing they could find is the battery is a little weak, but that wouldn't make the car not start. At least that is what the Auto Zone guy said. The diagnostic showed everything else with the electrical system to be working properly.
What is wrong with my car? I am afraid one day to go out and a jump won't even start it. Thank you for your response.
3 responses
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
15 Feb 11
Hi Rose,
You really have not given enough information to get a reliable answer. From what you have said though, I would suggest that you buy a new battery. Sounds like the short trips that you take are not charging the battery full. If a battery is not fully charged it will soon develop a spot that it will not charge and you can never get a full charge again.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
16 Feb 11
Even with a good charging system you need to run it at highway speed for several miles, like 50 or 60 to get it fully charged on the older systems.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
16 Feb 11
I did leave my lights on...........TWICE and ran the battery down. So, more than likely I killed a cell. I need a new battery I guess. I thought if I ran the car for awhile it would charge the battery, but that is not happening. It charges, but after only 20 or so minutes there is a noticeable change in the charge.
Thank you for your response!
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
15 Feb 11
Well, internet diagnosis of a car fault is asking the impossible, even from the best workshops I know, but I'll give it a go! If it were me, I'd go to a proper auto electrician who I know has the best equipment & trained staff to use it. The whole charging system needs investigating. I'll need more information as well. For example, what is it that fails each time - is it the power? How do the lights on the dash look when trying to re-start? How is the fuel pressure & volume? Most workshops will plug in a diagnostic tool & just let the car tell them what's wrong with it. Failing that, each component needs to be properly load tested on the bench separately. The battery needs proper load testing, the wiring needs to be load tested separately & the alternator needs to be loaded up & run properly. This all takes man-hours & can get expensive in the end. The alternator brushes wear out frequently & are simple to replace. The regulator is also cheap & easy to replace, as are the belts. It might also be cheaper to replace the battery than have it tested extensively. What sort of alternator did you get? Was it genuine or a re-build? Either way, they should both come with a warranty of sorts. You've probably got an intermittent fault somewhere in the starting - charging system & may need to start replacing components one by one. If they're certain everything is OK, you really need to take your car for a good, long, long, long drive & monitor the rate that the alternator charges the battery. If all else fails, attach a sign to the inside of the window, sell the old bomb while it's still running & buy something decent.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
16 Feb 11
I did have to replace the starter, and needed a jump when it was changed. After that, it's never been the same. Of course, it didn't help any when I left the lights on most of the day. I had Auto Zone run a dx on it, according to them the electrical system is ok. A friend came by and had me run the car and he ran a check on the battery. Then we let it sit for about 20 minutes or so and he checked again and the battery had lost some power. I guess, I need a new battery.
@Artiey (14)
• Brazil
15 Feb 11
I don't understand about car mechanics but if I were you I would go for another specialist' opinion.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
16 Feb 11
I had a friend take a look and it seems like the battery may need to be replaced.
