Issues after changing alternator
5

Asked by Mcmillens8087 Jan 29, 2016 at 01:34 PM about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

4-5 month's ago I took our car into a mechanic who said my alternator
needed to be changed. (didn't have much power). after changing it, battery
started oozing. Mechanic say's to get another battery. Which I did and has
been working fine.

Car was fine until the alternator. Since then, When I first start the car in the
morning (or after it's sit for about 6-7 hours) it start's up - airbag & battery
light STAYS ON until the car goes into a revving mode. Revving mode I'm
referring to is that the car while parked will start idling higher, as if I'm
holding pedal which I'm not btw completely on it's own. It'll rev up & down
for about a minute and while it's doing this the lights in the car including the
dash will flicker off & on. After it goes through this mode then it's fine,
airbag/battery light goes off.

If i turn on the AC at all which has been getting worse as well, it'll make the
car run rough. Sometimes if i don't hit the pedal she'll die out while driving
when AC is on. (HAVE to run AC our son had a transplant & can't breathe
the construction air around here)

Took her to a different mechanic yesterday who charged us $640.00 and
said ONE issue i would have to take to dealership. A computer, in the
dashboard thing. Then what he fixed was (a coil in the starter??) as well as
changed the spark plugs and said the whole light flickering etc shouldn't
happen.

Well, it's still doing the same today. And I'd like your opinion's before I try
another mechanic. mahalo.

1 Answer
26,780

oilyspill answered 8 years ago

With some makes and models, when battery voltage is lost, some systems will lose memory, that can cause problems. I try to encourage everybody when changing battery or taking battery cables loose, to use a memory saver or some type of battery charger so the systems won't lose memory. If that is the problem, those systems may need to be reprogrammed. Some shops may be able to reprogram, if not, have to take it to dealership. Of course, I can't see anything from here.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

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