is thia a computer problem or something else

Okay, it sounds like the battery is going dead. What I need you to do is fully charge the battery and then, using a volt meter, check how many volts the battery is producing with the engine and key off. It should be around 12v. If below, have the "new" battery checked again. If it is above 12, start the engine and recheck battery voltage. With the engine running, it should show around 14v. If it doesn't change, either the alt is bad or the fuseable link between the alt and the battery is bad and not allowing the alternator to charge the battery.

Its kinda broke down @ a gas station @ the moment.I haven't been able to get any help.I'm a single mom w/short fundage.could the diagnostic test @ the auto zones have been wrong about the battery & alternator being good?

Yes, and here is why. When they check, they check the units as individual parts. The alt may be good, just not able to get the power to the battery.

I'll help you through this... Is there anyway for you to remove the battery and recharge it? Again, most parts stores will charge it for free, but you need to get it there.

Let me know.
Joe

Yes but unfortunately I wont be able to get it tonight i dont have a sitter hahaha...soon as I get the kids off to school in the morning I was going to walk down were its at & I can go to the auto store then.

Do that (sorry you have to walk). Have them charge the battery and then put it back in the car. At that point, the car should start to get you home. Drive it home but no further than you need to. If the alt isn't charging, the battery will go dead again and strand you.

You will need a simple volt meter to do the next check.

Hope you're not in a dangerous area to be walking around.

Joe

Well I just happen to live in a rough neighborhood but I have a dog he's pretty protective over me.I've come to realize you can't count on anyone so the walk isn't to bad.someone had me take the cable off the battery & said if it shut off it was the alternator,when I did that it still stayed on.is that true?

That is true. However, is the alt producing enough to maintain the electronics and the battery is the question.

Get the battery recharged tomorrow and we'll go from there. BE CAREFUL.

Joe

OK...sorry took so long.I had my neighbors daughter sit w/my kids while they slept I walked down to my car & was trying to make sure they didn't have it towed.I saw that there was a wire coming out of the dashboard but wasn't connected,couldn't figure out where it went.the locks & radio lights were flickering & making noises w/o the key in the ignition.crazy I wanted to thank you for your help & curious how to get in touch w/you tomorrow? Hope you have a great evening

I'm glad to help... Listen, I'm not sure what the wire is from, but the locks may be reacting from a really low battery.

As far as tomorrow, continue adding to this link. I will receive an email when you add to it. Then, I can get back to you. Usually, I don't start until around noon.

You shouldn't have walked there at night if it is a bad area. Get yourself and kids out of that area. You seem really nice.

Take care and you have a good evening too. We'll talk tomorrow.

Joe
PS: I may have another tech read this post to make sure I am directing you properly. He may have some additional ideas too. So, don't be surprised to see someone jump in and add thoughts.

I had to move it cause it was blocking a gas pump.I will definitely email you tomorrow!!!night night

take care... just noticed your user name.. Bucsfan. You're not in pittsburgh are you.

DEFINITELY SOUNDS LIKE BATTERY/ CHARGING ISSUE

BE SURE TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT BATTERY BEFORE CHARGING---REASON--COMPUTER MAY NEED TO RESET

TRY ANOTHER PARTS STORE!!!!----MAY HAVE A DEFECTIVE TESTER OR A DEFECTIVE TESTER!!! CELL PHONES PLAY A BIG PART IN THE TYPE SERVICE YOU RECEIVE ANY MORE!

IF YOU HAVE, OR CAN GET A CHEAP VOLTMETER---jacobandnickolas OR I, CAN TALK YOU THRU TESTING TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING---YOU CAN GET ONE FOR UNDER $15........OR JUST LOOK AT THIS, GIVE US YOUR RESULTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq24oPUVmdA

LOTS OF SIMILAR VIDEOS---THIS ONE IS EZ TO UNDERSTAND

AS FAR AS, IF YOU NEED SOMETHING REPLACED AND CANNOT DO IT YOURSELF---WE MAY CAN GIVE YOU SOME SUGGESTIONS, AVOIDING A BIG SHOP.

KEEP COMING BACK HERE, KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC

U guys r awesome..and I'm in Nashville but I'm from Florida so I'm a Tampa fan.but I do love me some big ben he rocks

I was wondering. If you were near it would be easier to direct you. Take care, and I told the other guy to look for your reply. He is online before me.

Good morning,well afternoon I suppose.I had them test the battery & they said it was reading 13v.I'm so scared its going to be a computer problem from what I've heard that stuff is expensive

Hello. Was that after being recharged or was that as soon as you took it in? Also, did they "Load test" the battery?

I'm assuming it was after...I dropped it off & went to get a bite.I haven't made it back to the car yet but I'm on my way.I have the battery I replaced was going to have them charge it to.could my battery have a bad cell? Not sure what that is sum1 just mentioned it

I had bought the new battery from sum1 & not a store,which was probably a mistake but I really had no choice.the car had died & the steering locked up,that's what prompted me to get another battery

YEAH!.....WHAT HE SAID!

SLEPT IN LATE bucsfan5????-----BEEN WAITIN ON YOU SINCE 'BOUT 0900 THIS MORN!

THOUGHT YOU WERE BUYIN' BREAKFAST

NOW I SEE YOU'RE CHEATIN' ON ME AND GOIN' TO LUNCH W/ J & N

C,MON NOW---- HE DON'T EVEN HAVE A JEEP--I HAVE 2 REAL ONES!

NO!!!!!!!!!!! J&N--YOU CAN'T HAVE ONE!

WE ARE SORTA FEELIN' LIKE MAYBE YOUR ALTERNATOR MAYBE SHOULD BE PUTTIN' OUT A LITTLE MORE THAN "13 VOLTS"-----MAYBE CLOSER TO 14 OR SO--ONTO A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY

LETS TRY A DIFFERENT STORE IF YOU CAN GET THERE--GET IT LOAD TESTED

OR BETTER STILL WHEN YOU AND J & N FINISH CHOW, HE'LL CHECK IT!!! LOL!

KEEP ON TALKIN', WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO HOME TILL YOU ARE RUNNING!

THE MEDIC

OK...I'm waiting to see if sum1 shows up to help.but I'm not counting on it,if they do I will go to another store...I am having trouble finding the alternator,is it underneath,I thought I saw it when I changed the oil a couple weeks ago

IF YOU ARE BEING JUMPSTARTED

LET JUST CHARGE MAYBE 15-20 MINUTES OFF OF THEM, BEFORE YOU FIRE IT UP AND GO

SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET A MOTIVATED PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE TO ASSIST WITH CHANGING COMPONENTS---IF NOT, THEY CAN'T, THEY MIGHT HAVE A PPAL OR ANOTHER "OFF DUTY" EMPLOYEE HELP YOUADVANCE AUTO DOWN HERE, GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP

KEEP US POSTED

I SEE YOU MUSTA GOT J&N FULL AT LUNCH, MUST BE NAPPIN' W/ HIS "HAPPY NAPPER"...I DON'T SEE HIM ON MESSENGER NOW

THE MEDIC

Hahahaha yeah I don't know were he is.its wet & cold here snowing in areas around me.not here tho.wish it was wouldn't be as cold

SORRY!

WISH I KNEW SOMEONE UP THAT WAY THAT COULD HELP YOU

LIKE "RANDY TRAVIS, ALLEN JACKSON, SAMMY KERSHAW, TIM McGRAW, ETC"

YOU ARE SORTA IN BETWEEN US TWO---MAYBE 2-3 HUNDRED MILES OR MORE GOING EITHER WAY

IF POSSIBLE, CONSERVE YOUR POWER, DON'T ROLL YOUR WINDOWS, WIPERS TO A MINIMUM, NO RADIO, HEATER BLOWER, ECT.....YOU'D BE SURPRISED HOW FAR YOU CAN GO USING ONLY NECESSARY ENGINE RELATED STUFF

STAY WARM--I HOPE YOUR VEHICLE HAS SOME WARM STUFF IN IT

PARTS GUYS WILL POINT OUT THE ALTERNATOR--I FEEL SURE IT'S NOT EZ LIKE DOIN' A REAL JEEP

HAVE THEM LOOK AT FUSES AND FUSIBLE LINKS, AND LOOK FOR "CRAPPY" CONNECTIONS THAT MAY NOT ALLOW YOU TO CHARGE CORRECTLY

KEEP US POSTED

BE GLAD TO KEEP SENDING YOU STUFF TO SING TO!.....MOSTLY COUNTRY!

THE MEDIC

Okay you two... I had to run something to UPS. Now that I'm back, I see I had breakfast, Lunch...

If I recall, 13v was the battery by itself? Is that correct. Is the vehicle running to get it home? Please, Medic, no more country music even if she is from Nashville. Ha

Let me know what the status is on the vehicle. Also, last night I was thinking about the locks and radio... Wondering if you have a weak connection or loose battery terminal. Just a thought at this time.

Let me know.
Joe

OK well I called advanced auto & he came & jumped started the car said the load test said alt is good.I followed him back to the store he said he thanks I was sold a bunk battery.he's doing some other tests now,had me Rev engine to 2000rpms & turn high beams on oh & heat & air on high

GLAD STUFF IS HAPPENING===HOPEFULLY INEXPENSIVELY

KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC

They did sum test said battery & alt is good.they think its electrical & referred me to a guy down the street he's looking now

Don't give okay for repairs until you tell us what he says is wrong and what he plans to repair.

He put sum kinda tester on it & it showed that the alt wasn't even pushing 12v it was like 11,75-88..so he said it was alt.

That is what I thought. What was happening was the battery would slowly die as you drove the car. Eventually, it would die and leave you stranded. You have two choices at this point. I can walk you through replacing it yourself (save his labor fee), or you can let him do it. Because of the alternator's location, it may be a little tough due to space. But it is nothing more than removing and replacing the part.

I am really surprised that Auto Zone didn't pick up on the problem. If you need me to contact him to make sure what he is doing, let me know. Just give me a number and a name. (I will need your name too so it sounds like we are friends and I know you.) Let me know what you want to do.

Joe

Well my name is Paula...where the alternator is looks like my hands should fit just fine.I think I could change it out,I'm a little unsure of the belt tho.my exes uncle said if I needed help he would catch a ride & help.I took it to his house that way it would already be there.it gets dark here bout 4:30 now so I'm gonna have to wait til tomorrow.I'm soooo glad I found this site, I feel smarter already & I really enjoyed talking w/you.

WHAT ABOUT ME?

I WAS GONNA LEAVE S.C. AND "SWING BY" PENNSYLVANIA AND PICK/UP J&N, THEN WE WERE GONNA GIVE YOU A HAND!

I'VE BEEN OUTTA POCKET A GOOD BIT OF THE DAY

WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING YOUR PLIGHT ON INSTANT MESSENGER

YOU'RE JUST UP THAT-A-WAY VISITING?

I RECKON IF SOMETHING HAD TO GO WRONG, THAT WAS A "NOT SO BAD PROBLEM"...JUST A PAIN

IF YA'LL NEED TO KNOW ANY THING ELSE, BOTH OF US HAVE ACCESS TO "MITCHELL I" (A ONLINE REPAIR MANUAL FOR MOST CARS 80s ON UP) WE CAN GIVE YOU INFO, AND SOMETIMES GET YOU A DIAGRAM OF THE ISSUE

BEST THING YOU COULD DO IS TRADE THAT THING IN ON A JEEP WRANGLER, YOU COULD ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS AS THE BEST CHRISTMAS YOU EVER HAD!

KEEP US POSTED, I'LL UNLOAD MY '46 WILLYS JEEP, SINCE YOU WON'T BE NEEDIN' US NOW!

THE MEDIC

Awww I didn't mean to make u feel left out...I think you both are full of awesomeness.I would've never had thought to call advance auto parts.it is now my new store o'reilys triedto just give a $40 book to buy & send me on my wayi would love to have a Jeep but can't afford car payments right now.maybe when I'm famous for my chess squares

LETS HEAR MORE ON THE "CHESS SQUARES"?

FIXED YET OR JUST YAKKING?

THE MEDIC

What a ham... Paula, we are glad to help and hope we have. In the future, let us know if you run into trouble. If you want to speak with one of us, just add to this post. Also, if you run into trouble when replacing the alt, let us know. Please make sure the battery is disconnect before you start.

You are lucky, CJ didn't ask for a picture. Usually, he does.

Joe
PS: Let us know when it's fixed.

By the way, since you're in Nashville, I would be glad to cover your Country Music career by playing any instrument you need. I can even play the fiddle.

Now, tell me what you mean by Chess Squares. What is that?

So chess squares are like chess pie only a whole lot sweeter.u make it w/cake mix
, cream cheese & powdered sugar.they are delicious.its typically made w/yellow cake mix,but I've started using all kinds of cake flavors.they are sweet.I think chess pie is also called egg pie or sumthin.not sure tho,I had no clue what chess pie was til I moved to Nashville.

(I THINK SOMETHING GOT IN 'EM, MAYBE SOME FLOUR FROM THE CAKE MIX)

LONGEVITY?

35 YEARS AND 65 YEARS

......THUS FAR?

NOT FOR THE "WEAK AND FAINT HEARTED"

THE MEDIC

U are a Jeep junkie huh...my stepdad always had a red Jeep we loved it as kids.

HOW DID YOUR LOVE STRAY?

AND INTO "BOW TIE" TERRITORY?

IF YOU REALLY PROFESS YOUR LOVE AT A DEALERSHIP OR EVEN A SMALLER CAR LOT.......THEY ARE SURE TO FEEL THEIR OBLIGATION TO INSURE YOU LEAVE IN A "REAL VEHICLE".......AND GIVE YOU SOMETHING FOR THE SUBSTANDARD RIG YOU POSSESS NOW!

SOME OF DEM CHESS SQUARES MIGHT EVEN MAKE THEM BEND OVER BACKWARDS EVEN MORE!.......INSURE YOU TAKE A BOTTLE OR TWO OF MILK ALONG, DON'T WANT 'EM TO CHOKE, BUT SAVOR THE EXPERIENCE TO IT'S FULLEST POTENTIAL

YES, I USE THOSE TACTICS TOO

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1989-mercury-tracer-was-backed-into-need-headlight

SEND PIC OF YOU AND YOUR JEEP!

THE MEDIC