Q: My car shuts off while driving and light comes on and I can restart my car could it be alternator - 2006 Saturn Ion

asked by on September 05, 2016

Car shuts off when driving battery light comes on but battery is ok when I got it checked and they said it needs charged but could be alternator and battery eating the alternator

My car has 178360 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Alternator Replacement $166.62 - $1297.14 Get a Quote
Battery will not hold a charge Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. You should have the battery fully charged and then check the charging system to see if it is charging the battery. Replace the alternator if it is not charging. If you need help with this, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can inspect the charging system and proceed with any repairs needed.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How does the auto-reverse function work with power windows?
The power windows of your car are equipped with an auto-reverse feature. It’s designed for safety (pinch protection) – think of the doors in an elevator, or how your garage door will automatically reverse if something breaks the sensor beam....
Truck shuddering at 45 to 50 MPH.
A shudder could be a problem with an ignition coil pack. On most cars they start to fail around 150,000 miles. I would have a technician come out and inspect (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-hesitates-during-acceleration-inspection) the coils and you will probably get a p0300...
At idle, on an intermittent basis, the rpm repeatedly surges and returns to normal
There a few things that can cause this situation on your car. The most common have to do with the throttle body and the idle air control system. The throttle body is the where your your throttle valve is housed....
The relation between car revving and timing chain
Hello, thanks for writing in. Short period of high revving on a good engine will not damage anything. If the engine has been held at a high rpm for a long period of time, or if there are any issues...
When I'm driving get to 30mph the rpm shoots up and doesn't go fast gets to 50 and rpm is over 3 changed all oils
Considering the mileage on the vehicle, it's be hard to be exact. The poor fluid condition (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transfer-case-fluid-is-dirty-inspection) may be the cause of the transmission slipping or it may be the effect of mechanical issues in the transmission. A good rule...
Wire shorted and truck won't start.
Further diagnosis will be necessary to find out which wire was shorted and the circuit that was affected by the electrical problem before the failed system or component can be determined. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic...
Where are the fuses for a 2005 Astro van
Hi there. The fuse box on a 2005 Chevrolet Astro van is located under the hood, near the back of the engine, on the driver side. It's contained inside a "black box" that has a few clips on the box...

Related articles

How Long Does a Car Battery Last?
The life of your car battery depends on how long it can hold its charge, and is capable of being recharged. Once it can’t...
How Can I Tell If My Car Battery Needs Replacing?
There There are few things more frightening than hearing buzzing or clicking from your car when you’re trying to start it. It could mean any number of things, but chances are that it means you have a faulty car battery....
How to Attach a Car Battery-Mounted Power Cut-off Switch
Many Many people who store their vehicle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/preparing-your-car-for-long-term-storage) for a length of time like to disconnect the battery from the electrical system of the vehicle. This prevents the vehicle from unintentionally draining the battery. With the battery disconnected, the risks...