Q: Battery light came on while driving
Battery light came on while driving, car then died, had it jumped and drove off. Car was moving slow, after a few miles all the lights (including engine) came on and the car died again. Road side service said the alternator is good, jumped vehicle again, drove for 10 mins and vehicle died again. What could be the problem?
My car has 74000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Fuel Pump Replacement | $145.32 - $1299.70 | Get a Quote |
| Battery Replacement | $247.05 - $377.49 | Get a Quote |
| Alternator Replacement | $166.62 - $1297.14 | Get a Quote |
| Battery Cable Replacement | Get a Quote | |
| Battery will not hold a charge Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello there, a few different faults can cause the vehicle to die like this while running. The most common would be the fuel pump, battery, alternator, battery cable, or a wiring fault. I’d recommend you get your car looked at by a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to diagnose your battery fault and perform any repairs required.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
How do you lock the doors with the remote?
One of the best things about the remote with your car is that it lets you lock the doors from outside the vehicle. However, there are a few things you’ll need to know: Make sure that all doors are closed...
Metal-on-metal sound coming from front driver's side brake.
Hello, brakes being one the most important systems on the car, this should be handled sooner rather than later and the vehicle should not be driven. I am unclear as to why you believe the caliper should have been replaced....
How do I mute a phone call in a 2012 Hyundai Elantra?
When making a phone call through the Bluetooth system, you can mute your mic. When muted, the person you are speaking to will not be able to hear you, but you will still be able to hear them. To mute...
Dash lights and gauges going on and off
Hey there. A problem like this is usually caused by some sort of electrical fault, be it in a switch, perhaps a fuse, or even wiring. As electrical problems can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, I would recommend having the...
My brakes are hard to press and it's stuck under 2nd gear. Is it my brake pads?
It sounds like you may have two different problems. The first is a bad or leaking brake booster (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-power-brake-booster) or another brake problem causing you to push the brakes harder than normal. The second problem is a transmission shifting issue....
The headlights malfunction
The bulbs are xenon type bulbs and they will fade away before they burn out. My suggestion would be to replace both headlight bulbs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/headlight-bulb-replacement). This way you do not change one and the other burns out in a few...
Engine RPMs drop suddenly from 2500 to 500-1500 RPM on 2013 BMW 650i
Thanks for writing in about your 2013 BMW 650i. The symptoms sound similar to a vehicle with a throttle position input error (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement) or a major boost leak in a forced induction vehicle. To verify this, I would recommend having...
A 2002 Toyota Highlander how many catalytic converters does it have?
Depending on the options your car came with from the factory (single exhaust or dual exhaust), your car should have one or two catalytic converters. I would recommend having a certified expert, like one from YouMechanic, come to your home...
Fluctuating transmission temp gauge
The most likely cause of this issue would be a faulty transmission temperature sensor. I would recommend having your transmission temperature sensor inspected and tested for proper function by a qualified professional. If the transmission temperature sensor is functioning improperly,...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Kia Optima
Kia Kia hasn’t always had the best reputation. In fact, for years the Korean automaker was known for making cheap vehicles that didn’t last. Today, though, that reputation has drastically changed, thanks in large part to the 2012 Kia Optima....
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Tropical Climate
If If you live in a tropical climate, most of your vehicle purchasing concerns will be essentially the same as if you lived anywhere else – you want a car that looks good, offers decent gas mileage, and suits the...
Understanding the Kia Maintenance Reminder and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Kia Service Required light indicates when your car needs service.
Browse other content
Cities
Estimates
Services