Entered freeway and after about one mile it just died. Coasted to a stop and put emergency blinkers on. Blinkers and electric stopped within 30 seconds. Got out and messed with battery and lights came back on. Couple of times it tried to turn over but attempt ended with an ugly "thunk" sound. Any ideas what may have happened? Car had fresh oil, gas, was not overheating. Thanks!
Hands down, alternator. If that ends up testing good, wiring could be an issue. But, the car isn't old enough to suspect wiring as an issue. You mentioned that jiggling the wires helped some -- could have been a loose post clamp which would also lead to the battery draining even if the alternator is good so be sure to clean your battery posts properly with a battery post cleaner, use a post brush to get a good clean surface on the posts and terminals and use a good post protector after you clamp the terminals down.
If turns out to be the alternator, depending on the quality you get (and your area) can be anywhere from $100 to $200. Replacement is pretty straight-forward to do yourself but if you decide to get the altnernator yourself and have a pro do it, be sure you go to one that won't hike up their hourly rate if you supply your own parts.
Thanks! I guess I always thought if your alternator went out, you'd lose your lights, radio etc but the car just wouldn't die at 60mph. Is that because of electric fuel pump or the computer or something?
Oh it would die all right. The alternator does more than simply power all the electrical systems in the car (including fuel and ingition systems), it also charges the battery. If the battery is dead but the alternator is good, you could jump it and the car would run so long as there is fuel in it.
If the alternator is dead but the battery is good, the car will start and run perfectly fine until the battery drains and eventually dies. Average batteries have 30 - 60 minutes of reserve power but that's usually just for things like the radio and lights. Anything more than that and it'll drain a lot faster.
Suffice it to say, if your alternator isn't working and your battery runs out, everything electrical will stop working including fuel injectors, ignition timing, ignition coils, ECM, fuel pump, lights, radio, etc.
Yeah, the alternator is a really simple fix. It's also in an easy location to pull out yourself. All you need to do is pull of the belt, pull out the two bolts holding the alternator in place, disconnect the connector and then install the new one in the reverse order you pulled out the old one.
Do yourself a favor though -- don't cheap out on an alternator. Many auto parts stores will offer you cheap stuff and then more expensive stuff. Auto parts are one of the things you want to go with at least the better stuff if not the best. I work for AutoZone so I'm recommending our Duralast alternator which comes with a lifetime warranty... but naturally you can go anyware... I would suggest that whoever you go to see if they offer a lifetime warranty or at least a number of years.
I'd also recommend changing out serpentine belt at this time, if you haven't done it yet. You'll have to take the belt off anyway to get the alternator off the car, might as well run a new belt in its place. If the old one still looks good, I'd stick it in the new belts cardboard sleeve packaging, then toss it in the trunk as a spare.
The battery light never came on. Shop left me a message saying they thought problem was "internal" with engine. I need to call back and verify thet checked with a fresh battery.
I've had batteries die on me in several cars without the light coming on. I don't see why it would be an internal engine issue if the lights aren't coming on... I think you're getting taken for a ride.
Then again, I'm not a trained mechanic and I don't have the car in front of me so this is just my opinion based on the symptoms you've provided.
Shot over what? Have you authorized anything yet? If not they can't legally do anything except charge you for whatever their fee for checking is.
I say part ways with whoever told you it's an internal engine thing and, if you can take it to your local auto parts store (I know AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts will check those things for you). Obviously it can't be driven right now so if need be have it towed somewhere.
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I would suggest that whoever you go to see if they offer a lifetime warranty or at least a number of years.
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