Need your help car people!

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stevelamby

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 24, 2007
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Madison, WI
Soo... I got back into my car today after it sitting for about 30 min. It wouldnt start, no crank, the lights and cd player heat and everything else worked it just wouldnt crank or turn over at all.

It finally started and the service engine soon light was on.

I then drove it to get money from my bro, and it ran fine.

After I got the money from my brother (I was at his place for no more than 2 minutes) I got back in the car and nothing.

I didnt think it was the battery since the lights and everything else worked, but I jumped it anyway and it worked.

Is it the battery? Would a dieing battery cause the service engine soon light to come on?

Thanks for any suggestions/help.

BTW its a 2000 Olds Intrigue GLS if that helps at all...
 
More than likely it's the battery kicking the bucket. As for the engine light the computer might recognize a charging malfunction. When you replace the battery that will reset the engine light.
 
Check the connections at the starter.Wire maybe lose.If it started off a jump clean your battery connections.
 
If it is a 96 or newer, which it is the battery wont turn the service or check engine light on. Its an OBDII set up on that car, check local auto part stores they may do the scan for free (Autozone) or you can rent one and i could walk you through the diagnosis.
 
its not very likely that it is a charging system error. If you can get ahold of a multimeter you could check the charge of your alternator
 
Thanks for the responses guys, after I got it jumped I took it to the local store to have it scanned but the vehicle had to be shut off. I didnt want to shut it off and risk it not starting again and have to call someone else out to come and jump me. Ill have to try it tomorrow (even though its supposed to be FREEZING cold).

Once again, much appreciated.
 
How old is the battery?

If its more than 3 years old then 95% chance it's the battery. Often when they fail they will still put out enough power to run the stereo etc for a while, but they fold up under the load the starter motor needs to draw. 3 or 4 years seems to be the average life of a car battery. So if it's that old, replace it anyway. Even if you have another problem, the battery is in it's feeble old age stage anyway.

Cheers

Ian
 
yeah, I would replace the battery if old, all your other stuff will work even if your car won't start, so thats nothing surprising.
Also, disconnecting it and reconnecting it won't reset the OBDII code, where as older cars it would.
Check the side terminal bolts too, they are cheap and easy to replace, as if thier rusting or pitted their conductivity is greatly reduced. A short is another possibility, which would drain the battery, and if that is found to be the case, make sure to check for blown fuses.
 
on some cars the disconnecting thing works but not most. The battery is prolly bad if old but shouldnt set off light. Have you added gas recently? the fuel cap may not be tightened enough
 
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