Car Died, Electrical (Battery?) Problem?

[rjn]

Folks,

Following is a problem I've encountered. It's a bit of a novel, so I will ask the question now, but please feel free to read and comment.

I have an electrical problem, and what I'm wondering is where would you go to get it fixed? To the dealership (not under warranty any more) or to an auto electrician?

Anyway, the problem. Standard June 06 turbo with luxo pack. Battery been a bit lazy starting for a few weeks, expecting to replace soon (this may be a furphy) but last Wed there was just nothing, not even internal lights, nothing.

Thought ok, that's it for the battery even though thinking it's a bit weird there was no life whatsoever. Called NRMA, replaced battery, all good. Drove the kids to Gymnastics later that day, stopped there for 1.5 hours, started, drove home no problem.

Car sits in garage until Friday morning and guess what, completely dead again. What is going on. Call NRMA, guys comes out, jump starts car, go for a drive for about 40min to charge up (while doing this, it went into limp home mode, no revs above, 3750ish, NO SPEEDO very weird) reversed car into garage (in case of needing a jump start) turn car off. Return 15min later car starts no problem, speedo back revs back all good. NRMA guy did test to see if there was any current drawn when car was off and locked, no current drawn.

So, long weekend, family going away, do I take it or the trusty 92 Corolla? What the hell, live on the edge.

Drive about 2 hours, stop for the night, guess what, completely dead in the morning. Give up, enjoy (the rainy) weekend, jump start, drive home, park in the garage, turn car off and take negative lead off battery hoping when we put it back on it will start.

Edited 05/10/09 09:47 AM by rjn

[Adam]

Personally I'd take it to the dealer. But in saying that I have an awesome dealer that actually knows a lot about these cars.

[rjn]

It's the way I'm thinking although, I have to say since my local dealer quoted me $360/tyre for the std Dunlops, I'm not so sure I really want to....., then when I came back with a quote of $230 for the same thing, they tried to match it

I think I'll go elsewhere.

Shame you're not in Sydney, I could use some of that "awsome dealer" vibe!

thanks for your input.

Let's just hope it's a dodgy cable or something basic and not an alternator or worse draining battery when turned off

[robbo k]

I reckon its your alternator. have it checked at auto elec they can put some thing on it see if its charging.

[RIXT]

Alternator for sure. my 2c

Ric.

[fpr000]

hey mate...showed the old boy your post and he's an auto spark...he said definately your alternator....how many k's on your clock mate?

[rjn]

righto. it's sometime down the track and everythings been fine

I did actually take a spanner to it and thought that one of the terminals had not been done up tight enough, but thought with the amount of removal etc it went through at the time, this wouldn't have been the problem, but it seems it was......

So, it's been fine since I did that thankfully.

Sorry, bit late I know, but it's now got just over 47k on it.

[383ongiggle]

Good to hear she is ok now.

If you find yourself in that position again, after checking all your connections are good, just throw a multimeter across the battery terminals. You should be getting a reading of 13.8v while the donk is running, if your not then your alternator is having a hard time.

Stu

Edited 18/03/10 10:18 PM by 383ongiggle