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| Thread ID: 110119 | 2010-06-04 02:33:00 | Car trouble! | george12 (7) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1106551 | 2010-06-04 02:33:00 | Hey guys. I have a 1997 Accord VTI-S and have an annoying problem that has just started to happen. Firstly, last week one day, the clock had randomly reset some time during the night, and read a wrong time. The stereo was fine, and the car started fine. Then, this morning, I noticed that the clock was wrong (had reset I presume), and the stereo required its security code and had lost its presets. Furthermore, when I turned the key to start it, NOTHING happened for about half a second or even a second, before it began cranking and then started normally. I checked the battery terminals, and they are certainly not loose. They didn't look corroded, but there was blue gunk on them (photo attached). The car does not appear to have any problems once started, and has never failed to start, except one time ages ago when I ran the battery flat. Any suggestions on what the culprit might be? I would like to avoid an auto electrician if possible! |
george12 (7) | ||
| 1106552 | 2010-06-04 02:39:00 | Blue gunk is good. Knackered battery/alternator. Do the headlights etc work sweet when the car is running? Anyone with a multimeter and Google can test if the alternator is working, if it is then get the battery tested, any garage should be able to do this. If you look down that clear circle on the top of the battery what colour is it in there? |
wratterus (105) | ||
| 1106553 | 2010-06-04 02:49:00 | Cheers, can't believe I didn't even think to test the voltage. Will check alternator soon when I go to my lecture. Don't think it is that though, as the incidents were a week apart with no starting issues in between. I sense that the battery is getting on a bit, as on cold mornings it cranks a bit slow, but never fails to start though. I'll get the battery tested I guess if the alternator is OK. Would it be worth cleaning the terminals myself first? Will look down that hole too and get back to ya. |
george12 (7) | ||
| 1106554 | 2010-06-04 02:52:00 | Cleaning the terminals is very unlikely to make a difference, it all looks tight and clean. Normally you would notice pretty fast (1 - 3 days if you are only using the car during the day) if the alternator has died, it is probably the battery. |
wratterus (105) | ||
| 1106555 | 2010-06-04 03:00:00 | As Wratterus has suggested. First have a look down the eye sight viewer on the top of the battery. Should be Green if it is fully charged and in good health. | PinoyKiw (9675) | ||
| 1106556 | 2010-06-04 03:56:00 | I reckon you may have a bad connection in the main power feed wire to the fuse board. Check its connections at the battery or starter solenoid give it wiggle and see if the stereo trips offline. |
prefect (6291) | ||
| 1106557 | 2010-06-04 06:46:00 | Thanks prefect (and others), will check that connection tomorrow, along with the eye hole thingy I forgot to look at this evening. The voltage while running is 13.77V (very stable, doesn't change if headlights turned on), and when not running (but radiator fan and heater fan and stereo were) it's 11.8V which seemed a little low. |
george12 (7) | ||
| 1106558 | 2010-06-04 06:53:00 | Seems to me the battery is on the way out. I would get a new one before it completely fails. Have you checked the specific gravity of each cell. :) |
Trev (427) | ||
| 1106559 | 2010-06-04 07:20:00 | 11.8v......battery is flat. charge it up overnight and see if the voltage comes up. odds are you just havn't done a long enough run to fully charge it. | tweak'e (69) | ||
| 1106560 | 2010-06-04 07:28:00 | I had been driving continuously for about 40 minutes before testing. That should be enough shouldn't it? | george12 (7) | ||
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