Please help - battery issue

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Feb 20, 2018 | 02:45 AM

Haydenjrobinson

Thread Starter

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 2

From: Iowa

Please help - battery issue

Hey guys and girls, first post here! Let me just dive into my issue,

tonight I was driving home and tried to start the radio on my 07 mustang V6 manual. On the radio (shaker 1000) I got a message stating “low battery”. Soon after all the lights turned off. Literally everything electronic stopped, but the car still ran. I was almost home when I started to lose power in the engine. It started sputtering and sounded like it was backfiring. Eventually, the car completely shut off and wouldn’t turn over. Not only that, but a terrible smell came from what I assume was the exhaust. It almost smelled like burnt oil, but worse and different. I have been having battery issues all winter, but I would think that the alternator would have kept her running till I got home.

Anyways, y’all got any suggestions what it might be? Does the check engine light come on before the alternator dies? Any advice would mean a lot. Thank you!

Feb 20, 2018 | 02:47 AM

Haydenjrobinson

Thread Starter

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 2

From: Iowa

I should add that the car has only about 70,00 miles. Is it normal for an alternator to die that early?

Feb 20, 2018 | 06:17 AM

JimC

Super Moderator

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 8,882

From: Michigan again!

You could have a bad alternator - given mileage and time. Get it checked. If you've been having battery problems and the electronics stopped while driving, that certainly suggests the alternator is not doing its job.

Feb 20, 2018 | 11:21 AM

tw1234

1st Gear Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 76

From: Manitoba

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haydenjrobinson

Does the check engine light come on before the alternator dies?

No, but as the battery goes low from not being charged the Check Engine Lite may go On.

Charge your battery up about 4 hours or until charger tells you the battery is charged. Remove the charger. Turn your headlights On for a couple of seconds, that'll remove the surface charge on the battery.Then using a volt meter across the battery terminals, Ignition OFF read the voltage. Should be in the 12 volt range. Then start the car, voltage should climb to 13.8 - 14.2 volts which indicates the alternator is charging correctly. If it's charging correctly Have the battery tested.