It started and then would shut off right after

DALLAS LAINE

MEMBER
2004 DODGE NEON
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

Car has been starting and running fine until recently. When I would go start to let it warm up, sometimes the heat, radio wouldn't turn on and this is while the car is running. I would turn it off and than start it right back up and they worked just fine like nothing happened. Well today we drove the car like normal and then after sitting for about an hour went to leave and go get gas and on my way the windows and wipers were being really slow. Radio going in and out of power. Battery light came on and then shut off. I made it about a block. Well was jumped 3 different times and it started and then would shut off right after. And after the third try it wont start at all now. What could be the issue?

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

You have low voltage from the battery. It is not being charged by the alternator.

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

You need to have the battery charged to 12.6 volts and then start it up and check the volts at the battery with the engine running. It should be 14 to 14.5 volts.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

Once the voltage is stabilized, it will return to normal.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

REMOVAL

Battery Cable
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1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Loosen the jam nut and adjustment bolt.
3. Raise vehicle and support.
4. Remove accessory drive splash shield.
5. Loosen the lower mounting bolt.
6. Remove the generator drive belt.
7. Disconnect the generator field circuit wiring connector. Push the RED locking tab to release.
8. Remove the B+ terminal nut and wire.

9. Remove the upper and lower mounting bolt and move generator off of pivot bracket.
10. Remove pivot bracket.

11. Remove Generator through wheel well.

INSTALLATION
1. Install generator through wheel well.
2. Install lower pivot bracket and tighten bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft lbs).
3. Loose install the upper and lower mounting bolts.
4. Connect the generator field circuit wiring connector Push the RED locking tab to lock.
5. Install the B+ terminal nut and wire
6. Install the generator drive belt
7. Lower vehicle
8. Tension belt. Refer to the Cooling System section for belt tension specification.
9. Tighten adjustment bolt.
10. Tighten the jam nut and tighten nut to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
11. Raise vehicle and support.
12. Tighten lower mounting bolt and tighten bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
13. Install splash shield.
14. Lower vehicle.
15. Connect battery cable.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

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