(This article ©copyright Kevin D. Short)
(This article is intended as a GENERAL GUIDE ONLY - when in doubt - ASK YOUR MECHANIC WHO KNOWS YOUR CAR!!)
You're in the car now, ready to start.
You turn the key on and all the gauge lights come on and as the engine starts all the light indicators go out one by one.......
.......or do they?
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING- On some cars this can be just a simple reminder of a general maintenance due but should never be ignored until you know the severity of the issue.
Your car's computer, if the problem is severe enough will have an error code stored to tell you the problem. To retrieve this code you can buy a diagnostic tool at your local parts store depending on the vehicle for $35 - $75 dollars if you want to do it yourself. It plugs into the diagnostic socket under your dash.
Most Parts stores such as Pep-Boys or Auto Zone will usually perform this service for free if you ask , so they can sell you the parts you need.
CHECK YOUR OTHER GAUGES AND LIGHTS.
OIL PRESSURE LIGHT - NEVER EVER RUN THE CAR IF THIS INDICATOR STAYS ON. - STOP AND CHECK YOUR OIL IMMEDIATELY! If you have an analog gauge pressure should NOT be less than 15 to 20 lbs at idle. check oil if less. If your oil level is okay, talk to your mechanic.
BATTERY - ALTERNATOR INDICATOR STAYS ON - Depending on the car you might NOT be able to drive it. You could have a broken alternator belt or serpentine belt. You need to know if your water pump is running. if NOT THE ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT CAUSING DAMAGE.
If you have a 4 cylinder car then go ahead you should be able to drive it to a repair shop for most 4 cyl cars have the water pump running from the timing belt and not the alternator belt - but WATCH YOUR TEMPERATURE GAUGE!. v6 and v8 engines though, most have a single serpentine belt that drives BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR FAN
If a v6 or a v8 MAKE SURE THE SERPENTINE BELT IS INTACT AND THE WATER PUMP IS RUNNING. These engines can NOT be driven until the broken belt is replaced, to do so WILL cause engine overheating and damage. If the serpentine belt is intact the vehicle may be driven to a repair shop close by.
THE BATTERY INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING and you're a woman and on the highway traveling and don't know what to do? WATCH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE!!!! Normal engine temps stay at around 180 degrees to 220 degrees on the average.
If it exceeds this reading by a great amount PARK THE CAR AND CALL YOUR HUSBAND OR PARENT OR MECHANIC AND DON'T DRIVE THE CAR - TO DO SO WILL DESTROY YOUR ENGINE!!!
IF you don't have a gauge and instead THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT DID - PARK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY!!. Your engine is overheating and It's been just declared that you're going to have a bad day. Hope your phone battery's good...... and you paid for some games on it to keep you busy while you wait for a tow truck.
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DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. HAVE IT TOWED. (I know a LOT of husbands would kiss me for this one.... ...more than once too! because of the euphoria over the fact they just saved $800 to $1000 in unnecessary repair bills for having a SMART WIFE. (SMILE))
I should get a donation for just saving their marriage (SMILE)
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ALTERNATOR INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON and The alternator belt is okay - now what?
possible causes:
1. CORRODED BATTERY TERMINALS OR WIRES - raise the hood and examine the battery and cables. Look for signs of Corrosion. Examine especially
where the wire from the battery terminals goes into it's plastic sheath. if evidence of corrosion here, cut off the wire to clean wire, cut the plastic back from the end about 1/2 in. then - the wires have a protective coating SO REMEMBER TO SCRAPE TO CLEAN COPPER TO REMOVE THIS COATING before installing new battery terminals.
If the battery cable is too short to trim replacement is necessary.
IF THE WIRES ARE OKAY but the terminals need cleaning, clean heavy corrosion by scraping or using a special cheap battery cleaner tool available at any parts store. me, though, I just use a jacknife.
MIX IN A CUP A SMALL PORTION OF BAKING SODA AND WATER. USE THIS TO CLEAN THE TERMINALS OF BOTH THE WIRES AND THE BATTERY.
The same thing is available in a can at the auto parts stores for MUCH more.
The corrosion is an acid and the baking soda and water will neutralize and remove it. BUT TAKE CAUTION NOT TO GET THIS MIXTURE AROUND THE BATTERY'S CELL WATER FILL CAPS. To get it into the battery could ruin it.
After cleaning, flush with water and let dry. You can buy felt pads to go on the battery under the terminals to discourage corrosion - they DO work, and reduce maintenance.
TERMINALS ARE CLEAN NOW - What next? CHECK THE WATER LEVEL IN THE BATTERY if NOT a NO MAINTENANCE BATTERY.
Take the covers off and look down into the battery. Be sure to clean any dirt or debris away before doing so. The opening down into the battery has a plastic sheath down to the proper level. The water should be just touching the end of the indicator plastic.
USE DISTILLED WATER TO REFILL THE BATTERY or put water into a jug, then let set over night. This allows the minerals to settle to the bottom. use just the upper portion of the jug to fill the battery.
To use just plain tap water right out of the tap will DESTROY the effectiveness of the acid. Just think - minerals = metals - you will be effectively shorting out the battery acid from being able to serve it's purpose.
2. LOOK FOR STRUCTURAL BATTERY DAMAGE - Bulging sides, cracks etc. In winter climates if the battery charge is low the battery can freeze resulting in structural damage so KEEP IT CHARGED.
BATTERY FAILS INTERMITTENTLY - One time it starts like a new battery, next time it's absolutely dead. Then it starts like a new battery - THIS IS A SIGN OF INTERNAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. REPLACE THE BATTERY
3. IF PROBLEMS PERSIST - HAVE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY LOAD CHECKED BY YOUR MECHANIC
4. IF YOUR GAUGE ALT LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN YOU TURN ON THE IGNITION - THE BULB COULD BE BLOWN One thing to note, on older cars the alternator gauge bulb is part of a circuit that the alternator NEEDS TO INITIALIZE THE ALTERNATOR TO CHARGE. IF THE GAUGE ALTERNATOR INDICATOR BULB IS BLOWN - IT WON"T CHARGE! - replace the bulb.
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ALWAYS REMEMBER - IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON - WATCH YOUR GAUGES FOR SIGNS OF OVERHEATING OR LOW OIL PRESSURE , IF EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS EXIST - PULL OVER AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY!
IF THERE'S NO SIGN OF LOW OIL PRESSURE OR OVERHEATING , YOU MAY CONTINUE CAUTIOUSLY WATCHING THE GAUGES TO A REPAIR SHOP OR AUTO PARTS STORE TO HAVE YOUR CARS COMPUTER CHECKED FOR A STORED ERROR CODE.
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INSPECT BEFORE YOU BUY - Ase Certified Automotive Technician Teaches You How To Properly Inspect A Used Vehicle.
CAR AUCTIONS INC. - - Access to Government Surplus Auctions with rock bottom prices. SEIZED CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, MOTORCYCLES ETC...
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This is an Article in Progress - more will be added as I get the time.
I hope this makes you more confident in your car and Have a Good Day!
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