So...my RT has developed a strange problem, it refuses to idle for the first 5-10 seconds on start up. This problem only happens at night and gets progressively worse the further I drive. The fact that it only happens at night leads me to believe that it's a weak battery getting further drained by the headlights...that's my theory anyway. Voltmeter is always around 15 but drops towards red as I crank.
Thoughts anyone ??.
Last edited by Username : April 12th, 2008 at 11:06 AM.
Test and see if you have a draw off of your battery..i just got done changing my battery, gen 1's are a bitch to change! Also check the battery terminals
Test and see if you have a draw off of your battery..i just got done changing my battery, gen 1's are a bitch to change! Also check the battery terminals
Well, of course there's going to be a draw..the problem happens when I run with headlights... and it ONLY happens at night.
Screw it...common sense dictates it's a weak battery, I'm going to change it tomorrow .
Get a new batt. and IAC , reset your pcm and all will be fine.
I think the IAC is fine (?) as the car starts and idles perfectly warm or cold in the daytime...just not at night when, obviously, I use the lights. The battery holds a charge for weeks but not at a very high level. I'll change it before I damage the alternator and hope it fixes the probem.
Went to take the battery out and couldn't!!.. careful examination revealed a .22 size dent with hole in the bottom of the battery tray, pinning the battery in place. It looks like the lower part of the bumper may have gotten "grounded" when being loaded/unloaded from the trailer and pushed the bolt in the tray. Anywhoo, finally got the battery (Jan 03) out and it also has a small hole in it. This looks like relatively old damage so likely the battery has been short at least one cell for a while. Whole area will be getting the baking soda and rustoleum treatment followed with a new battery this weekend.
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What a relief...my I.Q. test results came back negative...
'96 RT/10..tooooo expensive to run!.
'05 ZX-10R..it will run 9's at the next track day!.
'98 Rotty.. tooooo lazy to run!.
'08 Cane Corso.. keeps trying to run away!.
This signature proofed and approved by Sgt Snatch..
An easy simple way on all vehicles to tell if your battery has a dead cell is first check the voltage with everything off(should be well over 12 volts). Crank the car, if the voltage drops significantly(2-3 volts) you have a bad cell.
To further exaggerate the condition, turn on the head lights and try and crank over. A large drop in voltage will show.
Using this method never fails for me. I have taken batteries to auto stores where they test the battery and say it's fine. Using the above method shows the same battery bad. Replace the battery and everything is fine.
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