1996 Saturn SL2 Battery/Service Engine Lite

Thank you for your response. The code that came up today is "P0440 - Evaporative Emission System-Confirmed." They said it could be an oxygen sensor? But for the past 2 years with "bad" batteries, my SE lite also came on, so I thought it was because of the battery.

When they tested my battery it came up "charge is low" - it's only 10 months old. It's a 5 year battery from Walmart, but before that I bought one at Firestone and the same thing happened. Something is causing my batteries to go bad/charge low. They checked the starter & alternator and they are fine.

What do you think the code means, and what should I do about the continuous low battery charge?

Thank you very much for your response.

I have attached photos of the engine. My husband is not sure where the evaporated canister is. Is his finger pointing to the intake manifold?

The battery test said Voltage=12.48U "Batt'y charge is low & must be charged to determine condition". One note-I did have a reconditioned alternator put in last fall-if that could have anything to do with it? But I am going to have the parasitic draw test done also.

Thank you.

Just a little background - I have spent a little over $4,000 on this car in the last 2 years and have to start drawing the line somewhere! I bought the car new in 1996 and now have paid more into it than it's worth, but it only has 108,000 miles on it. I talked to a local mechanic & he told me the P0440 code is very common and it would cost $100 just to check it. I then asked if I could safely continue to drive the car without getting this fixed, and he said yes. Is that true? Safety & saving money is my main concern.

About the battery - I just had the parasitic draw test done - they told me if it measures over.05 then it was drawing. It registered.02-.03 and said it's OK. He said the alternator seems fine - but now need to check connections, etc. Since the battery charge continues to be low. So I think this is where I need to put the money into. Do you know of anything else with the battery situation I need to have checked?

Thank you so much for your responses!

That's true with the light being on it could mask something else. I guess my only other thought is that I am hoping the car will last another year, and then sell it. I really have to pick & choose now what I can afford to fix, as long as it is safe to drive. The SE light has been fluctuating the past couple days - right now it is off, so I'm hoping it's not too bad!

Yes, my battery/temp light has come on/off intermittently while driving over the last 2 years, the period when I've had the 3 different batteries. It is also off right now - went off after I got a new radiator 2 weeks ago. I just found out about a shop that only works on starters/alternators/batteries and who are supposed to be good at "finding things" gone wrong - they said they will look at it & run tests for free. I'm really hoping they can find the cause.

You have been very helpful and I appreciate your time - hopefully I can take it from here!

Thank you.

My temp lite was on because I had a leak in the radiator - a 2inch crack - just got a new radiator 2 weeks ago, so it should be alright now.

I'm going to another place tomorrow that does nothing but work on starters/alternators/batteries - said they've been doing this for over 40 years. Hopefully they'll know the correct way to check this!

Thanks