Low Battery Charge - What does that mean exactly?

[AlabamaDan]

Hi guys! I could use a little help with my 94 Q45. It's totally stock and has about 145,000 miles.

This morning when I got in her to head to work, I cranked fine but the display center said "Low Battery Charge". I thought well, I probably left the door cracked and it will charge up on the way to work. (10 miles).

Then I noticed the parking brake lamp and ABS lights didn't go off. I stopped the car, turned it off, reset the parking brake, cranked the car again, released the parking brake, but they stayed on.

Is this my battery or my alternator?

Thanks for any advice,Danny

[AlabamaDan]

Oh. It's the original alternator to the best of my knowledge and probably the 2nd battery.

[AZhitman]

Hi Dan.

I'd be looking to the battery as the issue. If you've only had 2 batteries in the car in all that time, you're about 3 replacements "to the good". It's past due.

[maxnix]

Yeah, but use compressed air to clean the alternator and then inspect the next time the belly pan is off.

Worth having the alternator measured also.
Modified by maxnix at 11:49 AM 8/2/2006

[elwesso]

agreed... but take it and have the alternator tested too, because youll just destroy the battery by driving on a bad alternator.

[AlabamaDan]

Thanks guys. You know what I love about this place. I've been around for years, but don't have time to visit as often as I'd like. So, I end up only visiting occassionally when I have a problem and y'all are always willing and able to help.

Thanks!

[Q45tech]

An alternator is not designed to recharge a dead or almost dead battery while supplying the current necessary to run the vehicle.

Low charge means the voltage from the alternator is not up to spec.http://www.1stconnect.com/anoz...r.htm

[AlabamaDan]

My wife just called and said she found a belt lying in the garage where I was parked!

[Rex]

I'm gonna guess an idler pulley went bad, heated the belt, it melted to it and was snapped off at the next start up. Replace all 3 belts and the idler pulleys (bearing alone if you can press them in and out) while you're at it.

[AlabamaDan]

Crap.

You just made it a real job. How would I know if the idler pulley is bad? Wouldn't it have made some sound before - like a squeel?

It's my daily driver and I work all day. You're right of course, but

[AlabamaDan]

Rex, you're genius! The bearings in that idler pulley are trashed. It froze up and actually looks like it has been that way for a while and the belt just went bad. There's surface rust on almost the whole thing, except for the one shiny spot where the belt was rubbing!

I thought the back side of the belt looked awfully shiny, but figured it was just the brand of belt or something. I'm ordering the parts in the morning.

Now, got any genius ideas about what's wrong with my AC and why it doesn't blow cold?

[AlabamaDan]

That was an easy fix! Got the parts today from AZ and took 10 mins.

[maxnix]

Now, got any genius ideas about what's wrong with my AC and why it doesn't blow cold?

Hopefully you checked all belts and pulleys and changed any that eveidenced wear while you were in ther.

If you did, check AC clutch operation.

[Rex]

Rex, you're genius! The bearings in that idler pulley are trashed. It froze up and actually looks like it has been that way for a while and the belt just went bad. There's surface rust on almost the whole thing, except for the one shiny spot where the belt was rubbing!

I thought the back side of the belt looked awfully shiny, but figured it was just the brand of belt or something. I'm ordering the parts in the morning.

Now, got any genius ideas about what's wrong with my AC and why it doesn't blow cold?

Not a genius, just "been there, done that". I had the belt snap on me one winter, and was able to drive the car home in short spurts in 15 degree weather.

No idea on the AC .