After serpentine belt fix battery problems car will not turn over

Tiny
JGAMES93
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500
  • 177,327 MILES
So, after multiple serpentine belt tears, we fixed the pulleys because that was the problem. It drove for a few minutes and then the car shut off. We lost power steering and the car shut off. We figured that the battery just needs extra time to charge. So, we charged it forever. Now the car will make noise, lights on the dash work, windows all that but the car will not turn over. We did test the battery and it is not bad.
Saturday, October 9th, 2021 AT 7:01 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

Have you tried to jump start the vehicle?
Does it crank over but not start? or just clicks? or No noise when you try to start it?

If you can jump start it but it does not stay running, then it could be a bad alternator.
When the alternator fails, it is unable to keep the battery charged and that leads to engine shutting off.
The alternator should produce 13.6V to 15.2V to the battery with the engine running.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

If it just clicks when you try to jump start it then you could have an issue with the starter.
However, since it shut off on you it is either an engine sensor or bad alternator.

Please let me know what you are experiencing.

Thank you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, October 9th, 2021 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
To add to the above, you say the belt tore, do you mean it broke apart after being shredded? Did it come apart and off the pulleys with the engine running? If yes, then look around at the path the belt runs and see if it damaged any of the wiring that runs in those areas. It is very easy to cut or damage many of the wiring harnesses in that area and it may have cut the ones that control the alternator or a crank signal. Then you would just repair the damage.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, October 9th, 2021 AT 8:20 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links