Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Help??? My car hasn't felt quite right the last few days. Went to start her last week and the battery was totally flat. Jumped it off a starter pack and she fired first time. Havent needed to change the battery, although it takes a second to fire when i start her first thing in the morning, so I think I will. Not sure if that has anything to do with it, but now sometimes when I pull away, its like the car wants to stall on me. The steering becomes heavy too, so I have to reapply the gas and then it seems okay. Its done this a couple of times. Just doesnt feel quite right. Is this just common battery probs, or have I got a prob with my box? Sorry to be a bother, advice gratefully received though. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 It might behave like this for 5 minutes after the car was started for the first time post-bettery-flattening but then it should be OK... Is this the case? -Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 No, this is 15 minutes into a journey from cold starting. Hmm, think I will try a new battery and take it from there. Does that sound a good idea? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 when you're *into* a journey the battery doesn't do much, everything is powered by the alternator (battery is being charged) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Well, that was my assumption too. Still seems worth doing though? What else could it be? Any ideas? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Just measure the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine off. If it's over 12.5volts then it's unlikely that the battery is creating these problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Just checked, its ready over 12.5 (12.67v to be precise!). The car has just done a good 90 minutes driving though. Would I be best to check it in the morning after shes been standing still for a while? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 If in the morning it has dropped a lot (say to 12V) then you know that the battery can't hold charge and it's gotta go. But I'd look elsewhere for the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Right, okay, thanks, John. Umm... wher should I be looking?? Sorry to sound dense, just not sure what the next on the process of elimination list? Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkdtime Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 alternator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Hard to say without any diagnostic equipment. Pretty annoying that the Supra hasn't even got a voltmeter as standard (or oil pressure, as one might expect). So you can't tell if these symptoms coincide with a drop in voltage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff R Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Hi Andy It sounds like you might have to reset the ECU i had the same problem with mine.if you do a search on the forum there are a few threads to tell you how to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Thanks, jeff, thats really useful. Will try that now! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben-san Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Andy - this may be totally off, but I had a problem when my terminals were caking up with deposits recently. The contact with the battery was poor and I was losing power mid-drive quite a few times. Everything went for a split second every now and then, so no PS or throttle when it happens. Might be worth looking under the terminals and having a quick rub down with emery paper. Doing this would also reset your ECU. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Andy, I drive a Soarer TT. As you know most of these are autos. If you do a search on TIF or LSOC you can find all you want about the auto box. In the event the battery goes flat, it will effectively work like re-setting the ECU and clear all the stored error codes, including the gearbox. In our case, when re-setting the ECU, on first start up and at a standstill at tickover, with your foot on the brake, from "P" you should put the car in each gear for a few seconds and then back to "P." This supposedly helps the gearbox "re-learn." In our case we then do 5 or 6 really hard starts from rest to about 35 mph. I would do another reset and follow the above procedure. If you want to dio a basic check on your alternator, when its dark, stick you headlight against the wall and rev the engine. there should be a noticeable brightening of the beam. Not totally conclusive, but can help identify if the alternator is totally sha$$ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Andy, If you do another voltage test acroos the battery with the engine running it should read about 14.8 volts if the alternator/connections are OK.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Help??? , so I have to reapply the gas and then it seems okay. Andy This sounds more like a fuel problem. In my own experience of battery related "running" problems, it is exactly the opposite, i.e. the car will tick over OK (there is enough voltage to fulfil this), but whenever you ask for more, as in accelerating (so you are asking the whole ignition system for more power) the engine tries to die, and you have to back off on the accelerator. Just a thought....... Maybe, fuel filter, pump, injectors........ ECU reset may gure this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Culture Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Thanks very much, Andrew. Really useful examples there. And thanks, Ben too. Will try a bit of emery cloth on the terminals to rough them up. Just took the car for another spin. Within the first few minutes, I accelerated slowly and she just wouldnt shift up a gear? After a few minutes, she was good as gold. Tried to catch it off guard, but was perfect? This is really worrying me?? Only seems to be within the first few minutes of driving. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now