Battery light

2008 DODGE AVENGER

170,000 MILES • 4 CYL

JOHNCZIII

MEMBER
2 POSTS

My battery light came on yesterday and the car still ran fine. When I started it this morning the light came on, the radio shut down and when I turned off the headlights the car ran a very rough idle. When I turned them back on it ran smooth again. I then turned them back off and the car shut down completely. The lights still come on and the radio is also working but the car just clicks when I tried to restart it like the battery is completely drained. Is this the alternator or other?
Thank you for your help.

Sep 19, 2017 at 12:01 PM

CARADIODOC

✓Experienced Mechanic
34,340 POSTS

The battery is drained. The warning light told you the battery was not being recharged while driving. At most you can drive about an hour before the battery will be drained, and a lot less if you have anything turned on that needs electrical power, like the head lights and heater fan. When system voltage goes down, a lot of the other computers will become confused and do weird things, including a poorly-running engine. Eventually some of the computers will shut down and turn on their system warning lights. If you charge the battery at a slow rate for an hour or two, you should be able to drive to a repair shop to have the charging system tested. The most likely suspect is the alternator.

Sep 19, 2017 at 3:55 PM

JOHNCZIII

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

Sep 19, 2017 at 9:30 PM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,104 POSTS

Please let us know what happens and upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

Sep 21, 2017 at 4:58 AM

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