QuestionHello,
I have a 1995 Chrysler Intrepid with I believe the 3.2L V6. I has given me a little grief lately on three separate occasions the first time, we started the car let it run for about 15 minutes (as it was -5F), and drove to work- about 1 mile- however on the way there the radio kept cutting in and out. After I was dropped off my boyfriend called and said that nothing electrical was working including the locks, all of the guages had flatlined, and the transmission was jerking very badly. He took it to a place to be tested- they tested the alternator and the battery 3X and found no problem. He drove it away and there was no problem for 2 weeks when I was driving it and again the radio cut out and then immediately the power door locks kept going up and down- up and down repeatedly. The battery/alternator light then came on. I drove it home- shut it off- tried to start it but it would only click like a dead battery. 10 mins later- it slowly turned over but still wouldn't start, 30 mins later it started but was running rough and if I revved up the engine the radio cut out. 1.5 hours later I started it again- let it run for about 5 mins- everything seemed normal so I decided to try and drive it- by the time I got to the end of the driveway the lights were dimming and I pulled back into my parkig spot and again the transmission was jerking badly. The next day I called a garage to come and pick it up and try to fix it... by the time the tow truck driver showed up- I started the car and it seemed fine, move it around the lot and it was fine- I let them tow it in anyways- they drove it around town and again, couldn't figure it out. And finally yesterday I was driving and the battery/alternator light came on- drove it home with no problems/glitches- opened up the hood checked connections, gave the alternator and whack with a hammer and it seemed to cut in as it made a different noise. Checked battery connection- seemed fine. Tried a few things including unhooking the alternator- nothing happened. Battery/alternator light still illuminated. Turned the car off after doing a few things- battery/alternator light goes off and stays off. Drove the car for about 45 mins with no problem. And here I am... I'm thinking, ignition switch, alternator, computer? If you could please provide me some assistance/guidance I would sincerely appreciate it. Have a fantastic weekend.
AnswerHi Kyra,
It sounds like the overall power from the battery to the vehicle is poor or your battery is wearing/shorting out, or the alternator is wearing out. The first possibility is checked by making sure that the clamps on the battery are tight, and also follow the wires from the - post clamp to their ground points on the body and the engine to make sure you have clean and shiney and tight connections there.
The battery is how old? Does it seem to take a charge, or is it discharging quickly after you charge it?
Finally, I would check the engine controller for what problems it has noticed and coded as two-digit nulmbers in its memory: use the ignition key:"On-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light which remains "on" to begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then repeat the process until you have an accurate repeatable count of the flashes. Group the flashes in pairs to form the two-digit numbers. Then go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code listing. Or you can write back with a follow-up question and tell me the codes.
I won't be available mid-day, but check back this evening or tomorrow when I will be.
Roland
