QuestionI have a 2001 Boxster. Last Sunday it acted up for the first time, after I got gas, it wouldn't start. Some nice men pushed me so I could bump start it. When I got home we found out the battery was dead - so we got a new battery. The first time I drove it since, when I tried to start it again, it wouldn't start again. When it cooled down it started, which kind of says, starter, however when I was driving it home this morning, just to get it home, 1/2 way there, about 10 miles the red battery idiot light started to flash intermittently.. about 7 miles later as I was driving down my street to home, the light came on full time, the abs light came on, the red airbag light came on, my dash lights went dim, so I turned off my headlights and when I got home I found my spoiler was up. I am scared to drive it the 40 miles to Vancouver. Is there a way to check the belts? Does it sound like wiring? or starter?? I don't want to blow my car up trying to drive it to the dealer.
AnswerI'm not an expert on the Boxster. I'm abit confused with the comment: "The first time I drove it since, when I tried to start it again, it wouldn't start again. When it cooled down it started,". I can't tell whether you were driving the car, stopped it, tried to start it again ("when it cooled down"), OR if you simply tried to start it cold.
If you have a fresh battery, and fully charged, and indicator lights are coming on it sounds like something other than a battery, maybe a belt or the alternator.
If you have a volt meter you can check the battery with the engine off: should be 12 to 12.7 volts depending upon the "state of charge" or gravity of the battery, the closer to 12.7 generally the better; although this won't tell you how good the battery is, it will give you an idea. So check your voltage with the engine off.
If the owners manual does not address the alternator belt; open your engine deck lid, locate your alternator, maybe be on your right side looking at the engine, and check to see (engine off) if the belt is on the pulleys and if its snug.
You can do a simple check to see if the alternator is charging the battery properly by using a voltmeter on the battery with the engine running. "Generally", at idle the voltage should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts at the battery and voltage tends to rise as you increase rpms. Anything below 13.5 or above 14.5 could mean problems with the alternator or its regulator; time to see a tech.
The two voltage tests are basic tests and there are others related to amperage but you will need other meters.
I would not drive the car if your warning lights are coming on and off
without knowing more about what is happening between the battery and alternator; low as well as high voltages can cause problems with the fuel and ignition management systems and safety components.
