Power loss
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Power loss
Help!!
My dash, windows, signal lights, lock or unlock doors STOPPED WORKING. Car starts, moves headlights backlights work, drove it too mechanic he says needs an alternator?
I'm so so stretched for money right now, what if its not the alternator...has anyone had the same happen...please please help me
its a 2004 s60 2.4L 148k miles
My dash, windows, signal lights, lock or unlock doors STOPPED WORKING. Car starts, moves headlights backlights work, drove it too mechanic he says needs an alternator?
I'm so so stretched for money right now, what if its not the alternator...has anyone had the same happen...please please help me
its a 2004 s60 2.4L 148k miles
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 5,112
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From: GA
If the alternator stops working, the CEM will turn off everything it can to keep the engine running as the battery voltage drops. Eventually the battery goes dead. Easy to test. Measure battery voltage, should be ~12.2 volts. Start car, measure voltage again - should be more than what it was turned off, and about 13.5 volts when running. If not - alternator is bad (as long as there is a belt spinning it)
If you don't have a voltmeter simply have your mechanic show you those two values - he should be more than willing to explain what's wrong with your car. I would advise against using the cheapest aftermarket alternator you can find - sometimes those don't work brand new. ( it can take a couple of hours in labor to find that out..)
If you don't have a voltmeter simply have your mechanic show you those two values - he should be more than willing to explain what's wrong with your car. I would advise against using the cheapest aftermarket alternator you can find - sometimes those don't work brand new. ( it can take a couple of hours in labor to find that out..)
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Power loss
If the alternator stops working, the CEM will turn off everything it can to keep the engine running as the battery voltage drops. Eventually the battery goes dead. Easy to test. Measure battery voltage, should be ~12.2 volts. Start car, measure voltage again - should be more than what it was turned off, and about 13.5 volts when running. If not - alternator is bad (as long as there is a belt spinning it)
If you don't have a voltmeter simply have your mechanic show you those two values - he should be more than willing to explain what's wrong with your car. I would advise against using the cheapest aftermarket alternator you can find - sometimes those don't work brand new. ( it can take a couple of hours in labor to find that out..)
If you don't have a voltmeter simply have your mechanic show you those two values - he should be more than willing to explain what's wrong with your car. I would advise against using the cheapest aftermarket alternator you can find - sometimes those don't work brand new. ( it can take a couple of hours in labor to find that out..)
i figured if alternator out car would not start let alone move (im truly not mechanical) just confused, it drove all the way to his shop 13mi away, he has worked on my cars for 24yrs, I should apologize to him ...I didnt know 1 had to do with the other...never too old to learn something new...thank you for you help
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 5,112
Likes: 675
From: GA
The battery starts the car. The alternator recharges the battery (some capacity was used to start the engine) and provides current for the car to run. When an alternator stops charging the current needed is provided by the battery and you can drive until it's dead - then the car won't restart. This modern car knowing the alternator is not recharging the battery will shut everything electrical down except for the whats needed to keep the engine running. This is to get the engine to stop running later rather than sooner.
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mrbaja
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