99 z24 convertible auto 122k
About a week ago, I had to hard accelerate (not a total red line, but close) around a jerk stopping in the middle of the road. As soon as I passed him, my battery light came on and was flickering until it just stayed on. About a mile down the road, the ABS light came on.
Fast forward to this weekend- I left my radar detector and Ipod plugged in to the cigarette for about a week without starting the car. It of course drained the battery. So I jumped it and let it re-charge.
Today on my way to work - same thing as above. Battery light comes on and then after a while my ABS light will come on. My cigarette lighter also stopped working today after a while.
When the car is at idle, my light goes off. I have no problem starting the car. The alternator was replaced with a new one less than 6 months ago, but the battery is about 3 years old.
I am assuming it is the battery going bad? But don't want to spend $60 if I don't have too!
TIA
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'99 Cavalier Z24 Convertible
Remind me why i keep this car?
My voltage on the battery was all over the place. At rest before I started the car it was 11.38v. After I ran the car for a couple minutes it jumped to maybe 12.12v. However, it would not stay at a constant voltage like a known good battery I tested (flutter from 6-12v).
Wiring from alternator seemed tight.
Any thoughts?
______________________________
'99 Cavalier Z24 Convertible
Remind me why i keep this car?
The battery is easy enough to pull out and test. The ABS pump needs a minimum voltage to start up from cold. If the battery can't supply it, the ABS will fail to initialize, throw a code and wait until you cycle the system (by shutting off the car, starting it up again and starting to move). For this reason, a failing battery will raise hell with the ABS regardless how good the alternator is.
My 'vert is a '99 also.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:03 AM
take battery to advance auto parts for a full hold charge test. it is free of charge. also, letting it die like that may cause future problems like yours
