Trax acting wierd, would not start..

[hardcore302]

2016 Trax. I was driving at low speeds. Suddenly the car jerked and had a lack of power. The rpms read zero, but I was still able to drive with low power to a parking lot. The screen was stuck on my link, as if I just started the car. I turned the car off, and when I tried to start the car, it would crank as normal but wouldn't start. After about three tries, the car started a d drove normally. Any clue? My gut tells me it's a dying battery. This car does wierd things with a bad battery. Radio acted wierd and windows wouldn't work a few years back... could it be the computer? Thanks. Trying to make this car last.

 

[dogememe]

Yeah, test the battery. If more than 4 years old just replace it.

 

[cptbarkey]

Did you pop the hood and check things? Do you still have a drive belt?

 

[hardcore302]

Did you pop the hood and check things? Do you still have a drive belt?

Didn't have time. Had to catch the train to work.

 

[hardcore302]

Yeah, test the battery. If more than 4 years old just replace it.

It's about 4 years old, perhaps more.

 

[supton]

Does it get short tripped a lot? I wonder if the battery management has let the battery get too low.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Running you should have 13.5 -14V on alternator. If RPM showed -0- and it was running could be a Crank or Cam position sensor. Should have set a code or there will be diagnostic data. Sure, could be dying BAT also. I would lend you my scanner if you lived nearby. Some Autoparts store are doing free scanning these days

 

[cptbarkey]

My guess is a lot of corrosion on the terminals due to a dying battery.
Get some baking soda, water, toothbrush to clean it up, that might buy you some time, but prepare for a new one.
Good luck.

 

[hardcore302]

Does it get short tripped a lot? I wonder if the battery management has let the battery get too low.

Recently it has been short tripped, save for a 70 mile trip yesterday.

 

[hardcore302]

Running you should have 13.5 -14V on alternator. If RPM showed -0- and it was running could be a Crank or Cam position sensor. Should have set a code or there will be diagnostic data. Sure, could be dying BAT also. I would lend you my scanner if you lived nearby. Some Autoparts store are doing free scanning these days

Didn't throw a code on the dash. I have a scanner, should I check anyway?

 

[hemitom]

don't rule out throttle.

 

[hardcore302]

don't rule out throttle.

Throttle position sensor?

 

[hemitom]

Throttle position sensor?

Sorry throttle body .

 

[zzyzzx]

I don't see how a bad battery is going to make it stall. While it's usually good to check the battery terminals for cleanliness anyway, I would be checking live data and codes even if the CEL is off. Also do a basic inspection to see if everything looks OK.

 

[Marcozi]

The first step in diagnosing a problem is to scan the car for code. The Service Engine Soon (SES) light is on only when an emissions related code is present.

 

[JHZR2]

I agree with others, battery is suspect. Lots of weird things can happen.

Get a meter on the battery and report voltage back before doing anything else.

 

[hardcore302]

Update: tested battery at autozone. 100 percent charged but zero cold cranking amps. But the car starts and runs fine today. Im confused.

 

[IndyIan]

Update: tested battery at autozone. 100 percent charged but zero cold cranking amps. But the car starts and runs fine today. Im confused.

Sounds like the battery is done. I suspect your car might turn off the alternator when the battery looks charged, and then runs it down, not compensating for the low reserve capacity, so you could have the battery run down pretty low, and then shut off the car. The solution in the near term could be to just always run your headlights, as it may not let the ECU turn off the alternator at all.

I was surprised when my new to me Impreza set off the low voltage alarm I have on my Ultragauge, at 12.8 V, but it's just the ECU turning the alternator off. For a weak battery this causes problems, and on the Impreza, you can just run the headlights and it keeps the alternator doing some charging to keep the voltage and battery up all the time.

 

[Auto tech]

Sounds like a battery issue to me. The car will take "unneeded items" offline to keep the essentials going. Until the battery totally craps out. Have a battery test and charging system test done

 

[zzyzzx]

Get one of those plug in voltmeters so you can check voltage while driving around.
https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3721-Battery-Charging-Monitor/dp/B000EVWDU0

I am also curious as to the voltage drop when you are starting.