You are not going to believe this part of the 'battery no charge' epic. I drove the car to the NAPA store where they checked the alternator for free. They hookey clamps to each battery terminal. The reading was 10.4 volts with the engine running. I closed the hood and left. Leaving the parking lot I looked at the display which said 'battery 12.4 volts'. Waiting to pull out into the street the display changed to read 'battery 13.8 volts'. I drove home, then restarted the car several times and the reading continued at 13.7 or 13.8 volts. Go figure.
I have another chronic problem with the car. The car sometimes shuts off or stalls after a highway speed run. Never at city speed (30 mph or about). After cruising at highway speeds (45 to 75) for a period of 30 minutes or longer the engine might on rare occasion stall when the throttle is let to go closed, as at a stop light or an off ramp. Sometimes several occurances in a single trip, perhaps five occurances within an hour timeframe. Other times the car operates normally for weeks and months, but maybe not years. Never in the city, always on the highway. The scanner reads 'engine stall', but nothing more. The unexpected nature is the concern. The power steering stops immediately and the brakes would follow. No misshaps yet, but it is disconcerting. Do you have any ideas? Have you ever heard of this before? Do you think the mysterious alternator problem may be related?
Thanks for your advice.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 7:33 PM
