Hi Everyone,

Yesterday during a spirited drive, my ABS, airbag, PSM, battery lights all came on in the dash and stayed lit. I then noticed my battery voltage on the dash was down to maybe 3-4 volts, not running normally up in the 13-14 range.

I quickly got the car home, thinking the battery could be potentially bad or going, put it on a battery tender overnight and went out to the car to check it.

Here are the issues and more info:

-The car starts fine, was also just in the dealership and they tested it and said it was fine a few weeks ago (could it go bad that quickly in the northeast weather where it is 10 degrees and I have barely drove it)?

-After the full recharge with the battery tender, the car starts and the voltage goes up to 13-14...however after 10-20 secnods it drops down to 3-4 again, lights up all the dash lights I mentioned above, then after a few more seconds goes up to 13-14, the lights go off but the battery light comes on and flashes/stays on...

Then after I turn off the car and start it again, the voltage only goes to 3-4 and the dash lights are all on.

Is this a battery or alternator issue? The battery seems to be working fine and is charged, maybe its just not giving enough juice after the initial car start?

Or is this alternator issues?

Any ideas or Help would be helpful!!!! Thanks!!!

 

I would definitely have the alternator checked out as they are known to go bad, your mileage is low but its 10 years old already.

 

My 2001 alternator went bad at 34000 miles- I have 37000 on it now. Same symptoms as yours. Should be about $800 parts and labor.

 

800 from dealer? I bought the fidelity warranty from the P dealer a few months ago when I bought the car, gold package. Wonder if this is covered...

 

I think Gold is their most comprehensive. If so, then its covered, minus your deductible.

You are lucky/smart... Fidelity is one of the few reputable ext. warranty companies out there.

Have your mechanic get a look at your car to confirm the problem (alternator makes sense to me), then give Fidelity a call.
BTW, you should be able to go to any mechanic... you are not locked in to using your dealer for warranty work. But I think that if you have the dealership that sold you the warranty do the repair, then you do not have to pay the deductible. That was the case for me about 6-7 years ago.

Until you do this, its just a bunch of assumptions & best guesses.

Good luck.

 

take it to autozone if you can drive it here..they'll check it whether its the battery or alternator..and its free...my guess would be the alternator also.

 

Just closing up the chain, it was the alternator and it needed to be replaced. Covered under warranty, only paid $100 deductible.