Q: The Check Battery Light will come on and the car will lose power. Sometimes the power steering will stop working as well.

asked by on October 26, 2016

While driving or idling, the check battery light will come on and the car will lose power. It has not done this during speeds of 40 mph or higher. It runs a little rough as well

My car has 109210 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Alternator Replacement $166.62 - $1297.14 Get a Quote
Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement $120.83 - $900.50 Get a Quote
Battery Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there, thanks for writing in. In several instances, when the Check Battery Light comes on before the engine died, then it’s probably the alternator. If your engine died before the Battery Light illuminated, then you may have had a crankshaft sensor failure, causing the engine to stall. Either way, the best way to know for sure is to have one of our local professional mechanics come to your home to complete a battery light inspection. They’ll be able to make the necessary repairs as well. Best of luck.

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

Car stalls out if I fill the tank all the way
Does the Check Engine light illuminate when the car stalls? If so, a mechanic will be able to trace the issue with a scan tool. That said, this concern is likely related to the On-board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) valve...
Inside driver side door handle broken
If your interior door handle is not working perhaps the linkage clips have been broken, or come undone. Vehicle door handles operate using a system of levers and linkages, so I would recommend a thorough inspection of the door linkage...
Heat blows cold when the car is idling
Hi there. The coolant level (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-often-do-i-need-to-top-off-my-coolant) should be checked first as low coolant will cause this. If it is low then it may have a leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-repair-a-leaking-car-radiator-by-mia-bevacqua) that needs to be found. If the level is fine then the heater...
Loud tick knock around 1500 to 2500 rpm and a little on startup
Hello, thanks for writing in about your 2006 Dodge Stratus. It can be tough to tell the differences between engine noises sometimes. In general, small parts make smaller noises. Bigger parts make deeper noises. Think drums or cymbals. Lifters make...
Air conditioning not working - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
Hi there. I've run into this similar concern on several Chevrolet products. The freezing over that you were experiencing is usually cause by a low system charge, then followed by no cold air as the system charge continues to lower....
Low tire presure Advance track and service power steering now
As you may know your vehicle is equipped with electronic power steering which is very different from the traditional hydraulic power steering systems we have known for decades. To provide steering assistance, an electric motor mounted to the side of...
Car is dying when taking it from reverse to drive
Hi Andrea. Thanks for contacting us today. This can be a very tricky symptom to diagnose, as it could be a mechanical problem within the transmission, dirty transmission fluid that simply needs to be flushed, or an electrical issue with...
I just had the transmission replaced on my 2011 Nissan Juke with 56000 miles on it and now it is idling rough intermittently and t
Rough idle is typically fuel and/or ignition system related assuming that there are no mechanical problems with an engine such as uneven or low cylinder compression. The problem is diagnosed, in part, using a real time scanner which reports a...
The rear tire is leaning inward at the top on my 2000 Alaro Oldsmobile
It could be that you have damage to the rear strut, or maybe that the bolts that attach the lower part of the strut have loosened up and allowed the adjustment to slip. This might be a dangerous situation, so...

Related articles

How Long Does an Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Fluid Level Sensor Last?
Your Your ABS system works both by means of electricity and hydraulic pressure. Fluid levels need to be monitored at all times, and that is the job of the ABS fluid level sensor. Located in the master cylinder, the ABS...
How to Replace the Speedometer Sensor on Most Cars
The speedometer has a sensor that fails if the speedometer or cruise control do not work, the Check Engine Light comes on, or the vehicle loses power.
How to Replace a Steering Angle Sensor
A steering angle sensor fails if the Traction Control Light illuminates, the steering wheel feels loose, or the vehicle drives differently.