Got Holy Water? The car's possessed

evans_sa · Post by **evans_sa** » 09 Feb 2010, 18:47

I've already done a bit of research on the forum and have already learned that a bad or low voltage battery can make the car act possessed: warning lights galore (my favorite being Brake Failure...ahhh!), no sunroof action, pushing the overhead light and the A/C fan turning on instead, etc.
However, I finally had the car towed and taken to a mechanic to learn that it wasn't my alternator (as I'd originally thought when the battery wouldn't hold a charge more than a mile or two) but just a bad battery. Not that I'm pessimistic, I just know my car, and I thought a simple thing as a new battery was too good to be true. Sure enough not even 20 miles after picking it up a new message appears 'Low Battery Voltage', HA!
So after doing more research on other people's problems I'll have the mechanic (again) check for a:
problem with the positive cable from the battery to the starter
bad ground
air pump intake relay

Also a year ago I had both my headlight bulbs need to be replaced within a month of each other then one of my rear lights has gone out (but I haven't replaced it yet). Also a few months ago had a friend work on replacing the Vent box & Hoses & CAM seals & Timing Belt & Serpentine Belt. Could any of these issues be related to a brand new battery not holding charage?

Thanks for reading this detailed post!
~S

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Feb 2010, 21:53

pushing the overhead light and the A/C fan turning on instead, etc.

Now THAT is interesting indeed!

One thing you might want to check, once you check the cables and ground, is for a parasitic current draw (quite a large one in your case), unless the alternator isn't charging. With everything off, check the draw from the battery. It should be less than 25 mA; if not, start pulling fuses until you find whatever is eating the current.

Checksix · Post by **Checksix** » 09 Feb 2010, 22:21

If you have another car, swap batteries. I had a similar situation and it was a bad cell in the battery. I would have sworn it was the alternater, but the service tech diagnosed it correctly as a bad cell. A new battery fixed all.

Jerry

evans_sa · Post by **evans_sa** » 10 Feb 2010, 08:29

I put in a brand new battery and the day of installation, drove it not even 20 miles before the "Low Battery Voltage" warning came on! I guess the next step is what JaBlackBurn suggested: check the cables and ground and then start pulling fuses looking for a parasitic draw.
I just can't believe a new battery wouldn't even last 30 minutes of driving!

Checksix · Post by **Checksix** » 10 Feb 2010, 14:26

I've seen brand new batteries that are defective. If the problem existed prior the the battery change and the battery change didn't fix it, then yes, look else where first such a corrosion at the connectors (both ends of positive and minus).

Jerry

evans_sa · Post by **evans_sa** » 13 Feb 2010, 08:59

One thing you might want to check, once you check the cables and ground, is for a parasitic current draw (quite a large one in your case), unless the alternator isn't charging

Turns out it was the alternator even though previous testing stated otherwise. Could that really be it?

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Feb 2010, 00:12

An alternator not charging could definitely kill your battery in ~20 mins if the entire car is trying to run off of it