Battery Failure and starter problems are about to drive me crazy

[Michelle]

Our car managed to break down driving back from the beach this weekend
(after we just fixed another problem). Here's what happened.

As soon as dark came (and we had to turn the lights on) we noticed
that the battery power would start to die every time we pushed on the
gas. It made it about 2 hours and then when we exited to get gas, the
car died in the middle of the street. Not sure that it is the
alternator because the battery would be stronger when we weren't
pushing on the gas.

To give you some background, our car has been breaking down the past 2
weeks. I was having the same problem aas another guy who posted
recently. The car would start intermittently - it would always turn
over, but not start - usually when it was raining or humid. We
replaced the ignition control system (we had a spare) and the car
started working again. Then it died at the beach (before the dead
battery) and a mechanic friend sparyed some starter fluid into the
mass air flow sensor - and voila it started working. But then we
broke down again on the way home.

So any advice would be great, we are pulling our hair out on this one.
We have a spare volvo (another tragedy so spare parts aren't a
problem). I know it is something stupid, but we're just having a hard
time diagnosing.

Thanks in advance,
Michelle

 

[Ken Phillips \(UK\)]

Our car managed to break down driving back from the beach this weekend
(after we just fixed another problem). Here's what happened.

As soon as dark came (and we had to turn the lights on) we noticed
that the battery power would start to die every time we pushed on the
gas. It made it about 2 hours and then when we exited to get gas, the
car died in the middle of the street. Not sure that it is the
alternator because the battery would be stronger when we weren't
pushing on the gas.

To give you some background, our car has been breaking down the past 2
weeks. I was having the same problem aas another guy who posted
recently. The car would start intermittently - it would always turn
over, but not start - usually when it was raining or humid. We
replaced the ignition control system (we had a spare) and the car
started working again. Then it died at the beach (before the dead
battery) and a mechanic friend sparyed some starter fluid into the
mass air flow sensor - and voila it started working. But then we
broke down again on the way home.

So any advice would be great, we are pulling our hair out on this one.
We have a spare volvo (another tragedy so spare parts aren't a
problem). I know it is something stupid, but we're just having a hard
time diagnosing.

Thanks in advance,
Michelle

Michelle

If the cars voltage is fluctuating like that, then the alternator, or its
associated wiring is at fault.
Things to check are drive belt tension (it could be slipping more at high
revs or high load), security of the ground lead from the engine to the
alternator, and security of the main positive output lead both at the
alternator and wherever the other end goes, also, worth a check; is the
charge warning lamp working?
Many alternators need a small initial 'excitation' current to flow through
the bulb, to the voltage regulator.
Failing all this, the contact brushes on the voltage regulator (Bosch
alternator) could be excessively worn, and struggling to maintain adequate
pressure on the slip rings.
The Bosch type regulators (complete with new brushes) cost about 12 UK
pounds, the unit itself (a black inch diameter lump) is held on the back of
the alternator by two small screws, very easy to replace, most likely to be
the culprit, if everything else checks out.

TTFN, Ken

 

[Gary Heston]

Our car managed to break down driving back from the beach this weekend
(after we just fixed another problem). Here's what happened.

As soon as dark came (and we had to turn the lights on) we noticed
that the battery power would start to die every time we pushed on the
gas. It made it about 2 hours and then when we exited to get gas, the
car died in the middle of the street. Not sure that it is the
alternator because the battery would be stronger when we weren't
pushing on the gas.

[ ... ]

Your battery is not getting charged while you're driving; the voltage
drops when you get on the gas due to more load from the fuel injectors.
They're having to open for longer periods...

Clearly, it's something in the charging system--start by cleaning all
connections between the battery and alternator, including ground cables.
Use a meter to look for voltage drops under load--with the headlights
on, for example--starting from the battery negative terminal to the
chassis, the engine, the alternator body, etc., until you see a noticable
change.

Have the battery and alternator tested. Could be one of them.

Charge the battery, as well--you can drive quite a bit off of it when
it has a full charge, especially during the day.


Gary