95 Achieva shuts itself off

[jerseylady]

Hi,

I'm hoping I can get an idea about what might be wrong with my car before the mechanic looks at it and possibly rips me off.
The car was sitting for about a month in cold weather. A battery was put in and after a bit of hesitation it started and I used it for a day. Seemed fine. That night I tried to start it and it took three tries and then died before I could put it in drive. Got it started again and it was okay for the short drive home.
Today it started after a couple of tries, but turned itself off again after a couple of minutes in park and then the dash said "hot" and "charge battery". But the battery is brand new. I know nothing about cars so any opinions or advice would be appreciated.

[Tech II]

Is the alternator charging? Do you have a voltmeter?

With nothing on, battery should measure 12.6 volts.....after it starts, it should be 13.5-14.5 volts...

Does it say hot while it is running? have you checked the coolant level in the radiator and reservoir(should be done on a cold engine, before starting)?

[jerseylady]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to the first question, but I don't have a voltmeter.

I recently added coolant because there had been a small leak. I believe it said hot and charge battery just after it shut off. It only happened once.

[Tech II]

When a car dies, idiot lights come on.......

You need to know if the car is charging......does the dash have a voltage gage? If no, when it starts and runs, is the BAT light on?

You need to check for codes also....

If the car cranks over ok, but doesn't start, get a can of carb cleaner...outside air has to be over 32F....spray into the throttle body while someone cranks the vehicle....if it starts and runs as long as you spray, you have a fuel delivery problem, either fuel pressure is low(pump) or injectors aren't firing....

Which engine is this? 3.1 or 2.4?

[jerseylady]

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. The mechanic said it most likely shut itself off to prevent overheating from low coolant, there is probably a leak. And it needs a tune up. It seems to be working ok so far. Thanks for trying to help.

[Tech II]

Cars do not shut off to prevent overheating....