"Niquemarshall" (dominiquemarshall)
02/15/2014 at 14:28 • Filed to: None
1
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"Niquemarshall" (dominiquemarshall)
02/15/2014 at 14:28 • Filed to: None | 1
| 12 |
Last night, my 190e lost power while driving. Had radio and headlights and heater on. Died about 8 minutes after stsrtup with no warning, expect maybe a fuzzy radio.
Ok, so I took the car to Oreillys this morning got the system tested.
Results:
Alternator Good, Battery Bad. Associate says it is likely frozen from sitting so long since it's still new (5/13 according to sticker). I head to Advance Auto since that's the brand battery it is.
I got there after driving it a bit more, warmed it up some more, got the system tested there. The lady says everything checked good. Personally I don't think she knew what she was talking about since she recommended a starter, after the car died while driving.
Figuring I should maybe set the battery inside to thaw out, I ate lunch, started the car up about 5 more times, I stopped at the Oreillys again (same store) to have to battery tested just to make sure. Now the alternator is showing low out put <30A.
What now???
whoarder is tellurium
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 14:33 |
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Check every single ground you can find, verify no chaffed/split wiring and also clean any corrosion.
Was it wet/slushy on the roads when you were driving?
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Niquemarshall
> whoarder is tellurium
02/15/2014 at 14:35 |
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Yes. There is a good bit of snow on the ground here
thereisnospork
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 14:38 |
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Bad battery or no, car should keep driving with just the alternator. Classic (but ill advised with ECU-fuel injection due to potential for computer damage) test for alternator worthiness is to disconnect the battery once she is running. If it stops - bad alternator.
In your case, the alternator itself might not be bad, could be a lose wire or connector somewhere in the charging circuit. Or an intermittent fault within the alternator itself, worn out brushes on the voltage regulator in particular sounds consistent with what you are experiencing - a cheap fix should you be so lucky. A too loose belt is also a possibility.
Thisnewformatisrubbish
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 14:42 |
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If you don't do a load test on the battery and alternator, off the car, you can't know for sure. Look at the cables, do you see any green? If you see green, replace. if you see shiny copper, keep looking. Are these externally regulated?
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Niquemarshall
> thereisnospork
02/15/2014 at 14:48 |
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Could it also be the person testing it?
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Niquemarshall
> Thisnewformatisrubbish
02/15/2014 at 14:49 |
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What is a load test off the car? What does that mean? It drove around fine today, but then again I didn't run anything, not even heat.
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Thisnewformatisrubbish
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 15:26 |
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A load test tells you how strong the battery, alternator are. Independent of any faults in the car's wiring. Then you know for sure.
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thereisnospork
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 15:34 |
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Its possible I guess, but it should be a fairly hard test to screw up.
It should be self checkable with a multimeter though if you are still in doubt. Grab a cigarette lighter plug to something you don't like/use, and cut/strip the wires and hook it up to a multimeter: instant poor-man's Volt gauge. You can also go through to the back with some alligator clips. Should be reading ~14+/-.5V if the alternator is working properly. Drive around a bit and keep an eye on it - if it drops below 12.5 the alternator isn't working. If it fluctuates then you've got an intermittent fault: grounds, plug, voltage regulator brushes, belt, etc. Also if it goes way over 14, the volt regulator is fried.
Also keep an eye out for smoke/burning electronics smell. If you do have a connector issue it could be a matter of time before something starts burning.
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Niquemarshall
> Thisnewformatisrubbish
02/15/2014 at 15:51 |
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How would I accomplish that
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Thisnewformatisrubbish
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 16:32 |
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Depends, do you have tools? Not all on jalopnik are handy so I can't know for sure. I see alot of guys taking cars to a dealership.
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Niquemarshall
> Thisnewformatisrubbish
02/15/2014 at 18:07 |
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I know a few people who do
Agrajag
> Niquemarshall
02/15/2014 at 22:02 |
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I'd lean towards the alternator since the battery is so new. Just make sure, like others said, to check connections for corrosion, and that they are tight.