Tried to start car...nothing...like completed dead battery...but then cd player starting to change discs but wouldn't play them...interior lights would go on and off intermittently, we disconnect battery for about 5 minutes...tried again to start but nothing, except cd player changing discs...got car to start by jumping but after driving home turned car off and tried to start again immediately....nothing (except cd player)..could not remotely lock car..making some very strange sounds....when it was running I could hear a high pitched wining sound...any ideas on what we should do?
Cars & Trucks - Chevrolet - Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
Answers & Comments
Did you checked the voltage of the car battery.If the voltage of battery is very low,then it will not let the car to start.The fully charged battery will show 12 volts.As you mentioned you jump started the car and after you turned off the car and tried to turn ON.It did not start.This means the battery is not holding charge.Also one more thing.When the car is running,at that time the car battery looses its charge,but there is alternator in the car ,which keeps on charging the battery when car is running.So also the alternator needs to be checked.Both this things are to be checked and confirmed first.------- The noise problem which you mentioned it can be coming from loose or worn out alternator/serpentine belt.If the belt is very old it makes such noise,in this case it has to be checked and replaced. Also it can be the bearing in the serpentine belt tensioner,which is causing this noise.-------- This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.
The alternator can be tested by meter.The procedure is as follows:---
Set the volt meter or multimeter to the DC scale and measure the voltage across the battery terminals - red lead of the voltmeter on the positive terminal, black on the negative. You will need someone to rev the engine whilst you connect the meter to the battery.
With the engine at a fast idle, the voltage on the meter should read around 14 volts (13.5 to 14.4). The alternator needs to generate a larger voltage than the battery's rated voltage to overcome the internal resistance of the battery.
The current needed to recharge the battery would not flow at all if the car alternator output voltage was the same. The larger the difference between the alternator output and the battery voltage, then the quicker the battery will charge.If the reading on the multimeter is less than 12 volts then you may have a failed alternator.----------This will confirm if the alternator is faulty.
Also to see belt is a problem,the belt needs to be checked manually,if its over stretched or got loose then it can make the noise.------
Locate the serpentine belt tensioner on the front of the engine. It is located directly below the alternator on the 2.4-liter engine, or on the center of the engine, just above the crankshaft pulley, on the 3.6-liter engine.
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Not in all cases but in some case,all the 3 checks out faulty,the battery alternator as well as serpentine belt.-------- so check the voltage of battery,alternator both.This will help to confirm the fault.------------ Thanks.Helpmech.
Thanks for the update.Helpmech.