Very low acceleration and brakes went out

2000 KIA SPORTAGE
175,000 MILES
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ROSSTAFARIANS
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Just trying to figure out the problem and a very low cost way of fixing it.
My girlfriend left to go home this morning and she could tell her car was acting funny after she started it. She said it had very low acceleration but was able to drive it okay. As she was getting off the exit her brakes went out. She somehow avoided traffic and made it to the side of the road turned on her hazards and used the e brake to make it home. It became harder and harder for her to accelerate and before turning into her garage she had it floored just to make it in.
Oct 15, 2013 at 8:08 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Was her brake pedal real hard?Was the check engine light on while she was driving with the low power?
Oct 15, 2013 at 8:29 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Any other lights on the dash like reduced power etc?
Oct 15, 2013 at 8:30 AM
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ROSSTAFARIANS
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Her entire dash went out. Yes the brake was hard, she had to press the brake down as hard as she could and it was still moving a little.
Oct 15, 2013 at 8:51 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?The first thing I would check is the alternator.
Oct 15, 2013 at 9:16 AM
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ROSSTAFARIANS
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I can borrow one from work. Is there any kind of tutorial i can use or watch? I'm not very auto smart but I can follow directions easily.
Oct 15, 2013 at 9:19 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Start the engine up and see what the voltage reading at the battery is?Should be high 13 into the 14 volt range.If the battery is too weak have the battery charged and tested. Let me know what you find.
Oct 15, 2013 at 10:13 AM