Possible electrical/battery problems?

[Keeper4560]

Evening all,

I owe a four door, 1.8L 6 speed 2012 chevy sonic and it has 9,500 miles.

More recently, I've been experiencing some problems.

First off: my car has been taking a longer time than usual to start up, like 7-8 seconds. The car sputters and sputters until finally starting up.

Second off: after starting and driving, some odd things begin to happen. My cars radio randomly decides to shut off, my windshield wipers actually move slower than usual, and my driver side automatic window doesn't go down automatically.

I'm thinking it could be some electrical problems? I'm not too sure what it is, the battery sounds weak. Could it simply be a new battery that's needed? Or maybe something more?

I couldn't see it needing a new battery as it's not even 2 years old.

Bringing it in to be checked Wednesday.

Thanks for any feedback.

Regards,

Alex

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Bad battery could cause some of your symptoms. The radio turning off on its own, wipers going slow and the auto window not working are more than likely simething else. The alternator should put out enough power for the car to function once started. Maybe you have a bad alternator causing the battery to be weak.

 

[Keeper4560]

Could be!

Thanks for the input. Just curious as to what some people think it could be. I guess we will find out Wednesday!

 

[Lazza]

I had a similar problem with my former vehicle (2004 Xterra). Turns out the starter was shorting out. Car stereo would lose power randomly. Very strange. Although I won't suggest there is anything wrong with your car's starter I would guess there is a short some place. If your situation is readily reproducible I should thing it can be sorted out.


_Lazza

 

[Keeper4560]

Just an update:

Took it to the dealer. Bad battery was the issue.

There was a bad cell in the battery that wasn't allowing full voltage and power to be achieved. For that reason, the car had to turn off my radio, and slow my windshield wiper blades in order to conserve enough power for the battery to operate.

 

[PlayCrackTheSky]

Glad to hear that it wasn't anything more serious. Don't doubt that a battery can go bad in two years. Mine had to be replaced on my brand new sonic after within two months.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[Fry]

Evening all,

I owe a four door, 1.8L 6 speed 2012 chevy sonic and it has 9,500 miles.

More recently, I've been experiencing some problems.

First off: my car has been taking a longer time than usual to start up, like 7-8 seconds. The car sputters and sputters until finally starting up.

Second off: after starting and driving, some odd things begin to happen. My cars radio randomly decides to shut off, my windshield wipers actually move slower than usual, and my driver side automatic window doesn't go down automatically.

I'm thinking it could be some electrical problems? I'm not too sure what it is, the battery sounds weak. Could it simply be a new battery that's needed? Or maybe something more?

I couldn't see it needing a new battery as it's not even 2 years old.

Bringing it in to be checked Wednesday.

Thanks for any feedback.

Regards,

Alex

I just got back from the dealer after taking my car in for the same symptoms. My Sonic is a 2012 1.4L LTZ hatchback with 8500 miles. I had read this post and figured it was the same issue, but it was a slightly different result for me.

It turns out that I'm taking trips that aren't long enough to charge the battery. After stubbornly disputing this with the technician, I got over myself and considered the fact that he's probably right. Especially since it's the winter and I'm using my heated seats from the get-go as opposed to the heater.

My two year old daughter Evelyn and I love to take trips to Sams Club to pick up odds and ends. She loves to push the cart and I love a baby that will nap in the afternoon. That trip is about a mile each way. Other than that, I commute two days a week for about twenty five minutes each way. The rest of the week the car isn't getting used for trips over a couple of miles.

I still am stubborn about this and not entirely convinced that the technician is right, so I'm going to try and research this further. The Ultraguage I received from Santa will hopefully help. Until then, I'll try to limit the use of my heated seats. I may also take it to another dealer or just an auto parts store to check the battery.

Does anyone know any Ultraguage displays to help me check the battery level? I think, but haven't confirmed, that I can check the voltage to see if the alternator is producing excessive voltage to try and charge the battery. Are there other displays that could help me?

 

[Lazza]

Fry, I am also dubious of the explanation you were given. Definitely worth investigating further.


_Lazza

 

[SuperFudd]

I would monitor the voltage at the lighter socket, using a lighter plug attached to my multimeter.

 

[Keeper4560]

That doesn't sound right to me.

The battery should be charged regardless of where you're taking it.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

As a former gm tech, and still a mechanic. I can say yes, repeated short trips especially in the winter can cause the battery to get weak. A cold battery doesn't like to take a charge. If I remember from my gm training, it can take 20 min to top off a fully charged battery after a cold start. If you are making trips shorter than 20min you might as well start a countdown to a dead battery. Also in the cold weather a weak battery can take over 1.5 hours to become fully charged.

 

[SonicBoy24]

Just an update:

Took it to the dealer. Bad battery was the issue.

There was a bad cell in the battery that wasn't allowing full voltage and power to be achieved. For that reason, the car had to turn off my radio, and slow my windshield wiper blades in order to conserve enough power for the battery to operate.

I had a bad battery in my Sonic too.

I bought my 2012 Sonic on Halloween of 2011, and before Thanksgiving I had problems with it not starting.

Took it in and had the same diagnosis as you, bad cell in the battery causing it to not charge anymore.
They gave me a free LTZ Cruze as a rental as well as a 4 year pro-rated battery. Haven't had a problem since

 

[Fry]

After the drive home tonight, I'm more convinced that there's something wrong with my car.

The lights and radio were flickering quite often, several times a minute. The ECM voltage reading on my Ultraguage was bouncing between 14.5 and 16.5, with most of the time spent around 15.5.

It was 15 degrees on my way home from work tonight, so yes, it's cold. But these issues seem to go beyond cold. Does anyone else have these issues in the cold?

 

[SuperFudd]

Regulator?
Do modern cars still have voltage regulators?

 

[Fry]

So, I bought a battery maintainer and left it on overnight. My battery was fully charged before I left for work today. Same problem, but it seems to be more frequent. Whether the problem is getting worse on its own or because it's 15 degrees out, I'm not sure.

What I do know is that my Ultraguage from Santa is quickly becoming well loved. Its able to tell me that my ECM voltage is going between 14.3 and 16.9 at its highest, with a lot of fluctuation in between. Anything above 16 volts or so causes the radio to switch off for a moment. I assume the headlights are flickering as well, though its still daylight. I'll find out as I drive home down the highway at 65 MPH this evening. Currently I'm guessing the problem is the alternator, but I'm not a car person.

I have an appointment for next week on Friday, so an update will happen then.

Oh, and I found this topic through a search and posted to it because the symptoms were the same as mine. Given the results of the OP and the way my results are going, perhaps this topic should be moved to Interior and ICE, or some other more general repairs forum. I think it could be a good reference for anyone having these issues in the future.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Superfud.
Yes the alternators still have voltage regulators.

So, I bought a battery maintainer and left it on overnight. My battery was fully charged before I left for work today. Same problem, but it seems to be more frequent. Whether the problem is getting worse on its own or because it's 15 degrees out, I'm not sure.

What I do know is that my Ultraguage from Santa is quickly becoming well loved. Its able to tell me that my ECM voltage is going between 14.3 and 16.9 at its highest, with a lot of fluctuation in between. Anything above 16 volts or so causes the radio to switch off for a moment. I assume the headlights are flickering as well, though its still daylight. I'll find out as I drive home down the highway at 65 MPH this evening. Currently I'm guessing the problem is the alternator, but I'm not a car person.

I have an appointment for next week on Friday, so an update will happen then.

Oh, and I found this topic through a search and posted to it because the symptoms were the same as mine. Given the results of the OP and the way my results are going, perhaps this topic should be moved to Interior and ICE, or some other more general repairs forum. I think it could be a good reference for anyone having these issues in the future.

Fry.
Next time you get in your car after its been sitting for a few hours without the battery tender hooked up, turn the key on engine off. Watch the voltage on your ultragauge. If the voltage is around 10 volts you likely have a dead cell in the battery. Replace the battery. If its around 12 watch it while the engine is cranking. It should stay above 9.6 volts. If not the battery is weak and either needs charging or replacing. Since you said you've been using a battery tender I doubt the battery needs charging. If the voltage doesn't drop below 9.6 volts while cranking its likely your alternator is the issue.

If you're still covered under the bumper to bumper warrantee both the battery and alternator will be covered.

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I noticed when the weather is like minus 15 or colder my ultra gauge shows my voltage at 15.00-15.50. On regular days when it's not that cold voltage is approx 14.5 average, so something with being so cold makes my voltage higher. Does this make sense?

 

[Blue hedgehog]

-15*C I assume.
I know batteries don't like to take a charge when cold. Alternators do there best charging when cold. Even though the battery won't take what the alternator will give.
The voltage regulator should keep the voltage between 13.7 and 14.5. I've never tested voltage on a car/alternator at -15*C or 5*F. Or if I did I don't remember. We dont normally see temps that cold for more than a day or 2. This year isn't normal. I would think it should still be between 13.7 and 14.5. I do know the battery shouldn't be load tested below 0*C/32*F and expect an accurate reading.

Do you have another vehicle to plug your ultragauge into to test the charge voltage in those temps? I'm curious to know if you get such a high reading. If you do you probably have a battery issue.
Its a simple test with the right tools to test both the battery and alternator. Most auto parts stores will do the test for you for free.

 

[Fry]

Well, I called another dealership and had an appointment with them earlier today. They fixed it.

It took a while, but the technician's notes showed that he checked quite a few things. The second best part was when the service adviser came over and told me that there was a voltage problem with the negative battery cable. Hooray! A real - tangible - problem!

I waited a while longer and eventually got the best part: the problem was fixed. After removing the battery and battery tray, the technician spotted a loose nut for a ground wire. In his words, "g106 was loose causing everything to try and ground through the other battery cables." They cleaned and re-torqued the nut, fixing the issue. On my way home I confirmed with my Ultraguage that the voltage was at 14.5 and it was holding steady, only with .1 volts variance.

All in all, I think I have a new service center. I almost asked him his thoughts on the speed sensitive power steering, but I had a baby (well, babysitter) who wanted me to get home soon. Thanks everyone for your help, and I hope this helps give someone a couple ideas if they have a similar issue.

 

[bandita52]

what is the normal volt range for the battery for the sonic just wondering that's all.