Low Battery Charge

[louiegz]

I was driving today and I noticed that the trip odo said “Low Battery Charge”. Not only that, the Slip, TCS Off, Brake and ABS lights were on. Lucky I was close to home so I parked it and got my wife’s car. I tried to start the car and it started right up. Is my alternator starting to crap out on me? It is the original, so I won’t be surprised. I guess 12 years is enough. So if I need a new alternator, what are my options? Can I use a cheapo one? I don’t plan to keep the car much longer.

[qship96]

check easy things first,battery connections & condition,drive belt,etc 89,000 miles is very early for alt. failure

[louiegz]

I'll check the battery conections. The battery is an Optima Red Battery that I installed less that 2 years ago. The drive belts were done about a month ago so they should be OK. Thanks.

[Q45tech]

12-13 years allows a lot of dirt and grim to build up and block air cooling slots and overheat and destroy diodes.

Not sure mileage means as much as years of service.

That's when mine got noisey 12 years of use but 235,000 miles and a few previous cleaning proceedures.

A few of the aftermarkets [including Bosch] make it to 12 months before failure---------- ocassionally.

[louiegz]

That's when mine got noisey 12 years of use but 235,000 miles and a few previous cleaning proceedures.

Funny you should say that. When it's cold out, I'd get this shreek at start up. I thought it was the pulleys but the sound continued afer they were changed.

A few of the aftermarkets [including Bosch] make it to 12 months before failure---------- ocassionally.

No problem. I be rid of my Q way before then.

[qsiguy]

Exact same symptoms I had when my alternator failed, both times.

[louiegz]

Well, I got the Q fixed. Yes, it was the alternator. I paid $400.00 installed with a 1 year warranty. I guess that's fair. I'm sure it's aftermarket but I hope to be rid of the Q before it fails. Thanks for your help guys.

[qsiguy]

....I hope to be rid of the Q before it fails....

You did not just say that! Say it isn't so.

Glad you got your alternator fixed. I used aftermarket contrary to what everyone recommends. I expect it may fail again shortly since my valve cover is supplying it with a load of oil and gunk. It's looking quite nasty so I'll have to concider replaing it when I do my plenum job w/valve cover gaskets. At least I will be giving it a thorough cleaning to get the layer of gunk out of it.

[louiegz]

You did not just say that! Say it isn't so.

Sorry qsiguy, I've been thinking of getting rid of the Q in favor of a smaller, economical and more reliable car with AWD for the snow. I have a vacation place in the Poconos and with 2 RWD cars, it makes it difficult to go in the winter. My Q is getting old and I'm starting to have too many nagging problems and I don't have time to deal with that any more. I've done some simple service myself, like change the fuel pump and window regulator, but I don't do engine work and such, so every time I have a problem like that, I have to go to a mechanic. Not everyone knows how to work on a Q. Two cars that are on my short list are a Suzuki SX4 and a Subaru Impreza. I haven't driven them yet, so I have to see. I will be nice to have a car with a manual transmission again, that's for sure. So if anyone is interested in my Q, let me know because it's going this year.