My car wasn’t starting unless it was jumped off. So I bought a new battery and am having the same problem.
My car wouldn't start last week, I jumped it off and was fine then early this week it happened again. I jumped it off it was fine. But if I turn it off it wouldn't start again, so I jumped it off and went to o Reilly's and had it tested. I was told it was the battery. So today I bought a new battery and had them put it in, drove home thinking my car was fine. I just walked outside to go somewhere and i tried starting my car I put it in reverse and slowly let off break to go down the driveway but the steering wheel was stiff and it felt weird so I tried to pull back up and put it in
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If the check engine light is on, downloading the trouble codes that have been recorded by the PCM will aid in the diagnostic. The battery warning light means there’s something wrong with the battery and/or charging system. The battery should be load tested. If the "new" battery is discharged, the mechanic would check to make sure there is not parasitic power draw that is causing your battery to rapidly discharge or cause low voltage even with a functioning alternator. You have an electrical fault of some sort and the causes could be a bad ground to the body, an intermittent failure in the charging circuit, corroded connections to the battery, and so forth. To get this resolved, I recommend you request a check engine light diagnostic. During such a diagnostic, a certified mechanic from YourMechanic would use a code scanner to retrieve the diagnostic trouble code(s) from your car’s PCM and then use those codes to find the fault that caused the check engine light to illuminate. Once the faulty part or component is identified, it is explained to your satisfaction and the mechanic will let you know of the cost to repair. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
A bad battery can cause problems in electrical and electronic parts, including the computer. It can even cause a “Check Engine” light.
Yes, a new battery can cause CEL to come on if it is undercharged (i.e. with a percentage of charge level that`s considered too low for the engine). The car computer will interpret this as low voltage and report a fault code which then triggers the check engine light.
Check Engine Light. The easiest way to tell if there`s an issue with your alternator is if one of the dashboard`s diagnostic lights turns on. Sometimes a vehicle will have a specific light to indicate alternator problems but alternator issues are usually indicated by the standard Check Engine Light.
Can a Bad Car Battery Cause Computer Problems? A faulty battery can have an impact on all of your automobile`s electronic components, including the car computer. If a malfunctioning battery is unable to provide the necessary electrical energy to a computer, it could result in issues.
Can a Bad Battery Cause Electrical Problems? Yes, if your battery is underperforming it can cause systems within the vehicle to malfunction. A bad battery can also result in air conditioners, stereos and other applications not receiving enough power to function properly.
A. It depends on the car`s age and type of ECU used. On some older cars, disconnecting the battery will reset the system but in most new cars it does nothing, except potentially reset the clock and radio station presets.
It will require a little elbow grease, but once you have the battery disconnected, leave it out for about fifteen minutes. You will then need to put your key into the ignition and turn it to the “on” position about three times. Ideally, this will clear the data, turning off the light.
This sounds like there is a loose ground or a wire was not hooked up to the alternator correctly. Check all of the wiring when that was removed when the alternator and battery was replaced. Back track all of the connections and make sure that they are all tight and clean.
Sometimes after a battery has been replaced there can be a few warning lights illuminated in the instrument cluster when the vehicle has been started. Most likely they will be a combination of the ABS, ESP and TCS lights however there may be others. The first thing to do is not panic – this is normal.
A loose gas cap is one of the most common reasons for the check engine light to go on. Check that your gas cap is screwed on securely and that it`s in good condition. If you have a tank of bad gas in the car, your check engine light may come on.
The main symptoms of a faulty ECU
Well-known examples are: engine failure light (MIL light) that lights up on the instrument cluster, car that goes into emergency mode, the car shakes or when the engine no longer runs on all cylinders. It can all indicate a malfunction of the engine control unit.
Unreliable Engine
One of the first issues you might notice when your alternator is on its last legs is the engine struggling to start or randomly stalling as you drive. This is because the engine depends on the alternator to provide energy to the spark plugs and trigger the ignition process.
Disconnecting your battery and draining the power to cause an ECU reset is one of the most common fixes for a check engine light that won`t go away on its own. Doing so is equivalent to a hard reboot on a desktop computer, which is a standard way to eliminate many common problems.
If you were to replace an aged battery at the end of its service life with a brand new battery without updating the BMS, your new battery`s performance and service life will be compromised. This is why a new car battery should be coded to your vehicle.
Every time the vehicle`s battery is disconnected or discharged, the Steering Angle Neutral Point memorization and the Steering Sensor Zero Point Calibration must be performed.
After resetting the ECU, it needs to adapt to your driving style. Driving for about 30-40 minutes after the reset helps the ECU understand your driving habits and perform accordingly.
It is a good idea to let your car sit with the battery disconnected for at least half an hour, this will reset the computer allowing your O2 sensors to not have to work against the PCM.
An early warning sign that your alternator is going bad could be dim, flickering lights. This symptom could show up on any or all of your dashboard lights, reading lights, headlights or other lights. The alternator is supposed to provide the electricity for your car`s lights.
“An alternator, as an integral part of every combustion engine vehicle, its main responsibility is to convert chemical energy to electrical energy so that you can charge and replenish the battery in your engine and other electrical components in a car.”
There are 3 different categories of warning lights; red, amber and green: Red warning lights mean you should stop the car as soon as it`s safe. Yellow warning lights mean that action is required. Green warning lights are for information only.
The message can reset by itself, but the car needs to sit undisturbed for at least eight hours. Perhaps with your work/driving schedule the car doesn`t sit long enough. Q: I have a headlight that is dim.
When a battery is faulty or undercharged, it won`t be able to send the right amount of energy to your vehicle`s computer. This may cause the check engine light to flip on. If you drive a newer model car, you may also have a handy battery warning light on your dashboard.
You`ll disconnect the negative battery terminal to test the alternator. If you disconnect the positive battery terminal it could cause serious damage to your car`s computer system.
Check Engine Light. The easiest way to tell if there`s an issue with your alternator is if one of the dashboard`s diagnostic lights turns on. Sometimes a vehicle will have a specific light to indicate alternator problems but alternator issues are usually indicated by the standard Check Engine Light.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
My car wasn’t starting unless it was jumped off. So I bought a new battery and am having the same problem.
ANSWER : If the check engine light is on, downloading the trouble codes that have been recorded by the PCM will aid in the diagnostic. The battery warning light means there’s something wrong with the battery and/or charging system. The battery should be load tested. If the "new" battery is discharged, the mechanic would check to make sure there is not parasitic power draw that is causing your battery to rapidly discharge or cause low voltage even with a functioning alternator. You have an electrical fault of some sort and the causes could be a bad ground to the body, an intermittent failure in the charging circuit, corroded connections to the battery, and so forth. To get this resolved, I recommend you request a check engine light diagnostic. During such a diagnostic, a certified mechanic from YourMechanic would use a code scanner to retrieve the diagnostic trouble code(s) from your car’s PCM and then use those codes to find the fault that caused the check engine light to illuminate. Once the faulty part or component is identified, it is explained to your satisfaction and the mechanic will let you know of the cost to repair. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Brand new car has problem starting 2016 Nissan Sentra
ANSWER : Hi – the "hard start when hot" sounds like a weak starter solenoid – unusual for a new car. "Heat soak" the transfer of heat after a vehicle has been driven, can sometimes cause weak electrical components, like the starter solenoid, to fail while hot, but work properly once they have cooled down. Since your vehicle is under warranty, I would seek correction through the dealer where you purchased the vehicle. If this is not satisfactory, call Nissan Customer Service to escalate.
2005 Chrysler 300C changed battery and alternator. Car started, ran, and then battery light came on. Shut car off and wouldn’t start.
ANSWER : Hi. There is a couple of things that could be wrong here. The battery or alternator that was just installed could be defective. Theses parts need to be tested for proper operation. There also could be a fuse, fusible link, or wiring for the battery or charging system that is blown or broken causing the battery light to come on.
The codes that you have will cause the car to shut down, run rough, or not start at all. The crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor should be replaced. I suggest having a certified technician from YourMechanic come diagnose the charging system and check engine codes to help you proceed with correct repairs.
New battery & fuel pump. Hours later car starts and shuts down 3X in a row. Finally it starts, 48 hours later, won’t start at all
ANSWER : Checking all the fuses was a good move. I would also want to put a scan tool on it and check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) as well as seeing the data that the computer is seeing.
A fuel pressure test would be a good idea to verify correct pressure and so that you’d be able to eliminate that possibility. It should be 58psi on your Magnum.
I also recommend getting your battery tested (I know, it’s new, have it tested anyway) and be sure it’s charged to at least 75%. And yes, loose battery cable connections can result in electrical problems.
If you need some assistance with this, consider enlisting a certified mechanic who can perform the checks I’ve mentioned and diagnose your starting issue firsthand. The mechanic can then perform the necessary repairs once the problem has been isolated. Good luck.
New battery, car still wont start even with jumper cables.
ANSWER : If the battery is new and fully charged, and you turn the key to the "start" position and you hear nothing that means that either the starter circuit supplying the starter motor (ignition switch, wiring, relay, fuse, etc.) has a defect or the starter motor/solenoid itself is faulty. The way the two possibilities are distinguished is simply to check for power to the starter motor. If power is being supplied to the starter, and yet the starter motor is not working, then it is condemned and replaced.. If power is not being supplied to the starter motor when the key is in the "start" position, then the reason why has to be determined. In the case of no power, wiring faults could be an issue inasmuch as corrosion on starter circuit terminals or circuit connections could reduce the current available to the starter motor enough that the starter just won’t work adequately especially in cold weather when the demand on the motor is the greatest. Basically, you have to perform voltage drop tests along the entire circuit to ensure the circuit itself is in good condition. To resolve this issue, the recommended service is a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will quickly let you know of the root cause of the problem.
Car won’t start. The check engine light, battery light, and oil change light are coming on. I tried jumping the car and nothing happened. Why won’t my car start?
ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.
