dead car

[the.dude]

Yesterday after work I went out to move my car out of the way to get the ol Christmas decorations in the attic. It wouldn't start. I've been having trouble with the alternator making noises and all that stuff, so I fugured it was a good place to start. I went and bought a new one, and the car started fine.

This morning, I drove it to work with no problems. After work, it sputtered a bit when it started, but I went on. About 15 seconds in to my drive it misfired or something and died. I started it again and got a little further, but power was nearly gone. Any time I slowed below 10mph or so, it would sputter out and die again.

So anyway, It won't run or stay running without giving it a lot of gas.

Anybody???

98gtp 137xxx

[the.dude]

Also, I installed a new CKPS in November. This seems to be a culpret for this type of problem. Your thoughts please.

[richtazz]

Sounds like a bad battery. If it's shorted out, it drawing all the power the alternator has at low RPM and killing the car.

[the.dude]

This morning I finally gave in and tried to start up the car. It ran idle fine for about five minutes. So, I decided to get brave and run it a few blocks up the road to auto zone and get the battery tested and the SES light scanned. The battery showed 12.1v then the machine said bad battery. The scan they have is pretty generic. It doesn't get that specific. The best they could tell me was that it had multiple misfires and the o2 sensor soti something out too.

Monday I can probably drop my car off with a buddy that has the GM scan tool.

So, now that I've got a little more info it still sounds like a new battery is on the list. Car ran fine today, so no permanent damage from the misfires.

I'm hoping the battery pulled the engine down to cause the misfire. And the misfire caused the o2 sensor to go off. How many o2's are on this car? and where? I'm pretty sure I'm on the original.

[GTP Dad]

A low voltage condition will cause misfires and other malfunctions. The battery change should help with this issue. As for the O2 sensors there are two. One on the downpipe and one on the exhaust just after the cat. Stay away from Bosch O2 sensors as they are junk!

[the.dude]

Based on the mileage of the car, is it time for new o2's?

[GTP Dad]

Yes and you will probably get better fuel economy once you change them. You can get OEM sensors from gmpartsdirect.com or rockauto.com or try your local NAPA or O'Reily parts store. However, like I said earlier don't use Bosch usually found at Autozone and Advance.

[the.dude]

new battery, dead car... now what?

[GTP Dad]

Are you getting any power at all? Does the security light come on? If the security light is on you will need to reset the system. If not you need to check all connections from the battery to the car especially the grounds. It is possible that the battery cables are also bad and not sending voltage to the car. Check the fusable links and connections at the starter too.

[the.dude]

It tries to start, but won't fire. It seems to me that it's cranking just as strong as ever. Just no fire. Best way to describe is that it's like trying to start a car with no gas.

I had a buddy tow it to a guy this morning that can run a scan on it. Hopefully he will call me sometime soon with the results of that.

When I changed the battery, shouldn't the system reset itself? It was out long enough for me to go buy a new one and get it in.