question about battery/alternator and engine off while driving

[italianbigsky]

I don't write too often but be sure that I read regularly this interesting forum. Living in italy and driving an Explorer isn't easy, but this forum really helps a lot.

I have a couple of questions for you experts.

1- a few days ago, while driving early in the morning, I felt the wheel very heavy and the brake pedal hard to push. I was downhill and had a lot of difficulties to stop the car, when I stopped it I noticed that the engine was off.
As I have LPG, I think that the automatic switcher failed to stop gasoline and start gas, but I have to nvestigate a little more. Anyway, the question is: can you suggest a better way to stop an explorer running with engine off? I put 2nd and then 1st gear first, but it barely slowed down, then holding brake pedal down more than I could, I used the parking brake too. It took too long and I was lucky nobody was on my way and the road was almost straight.

2- a couple of days ago, while driving I noticed the ABS light on. I slowed down, and while I was pulling the brake pedal, RPM level was around 0. I stopped the car, turned engine off and then I tried to restart. Nothing happened, I couldn't even put the gear from P to another position.
It was the battery. I know I can't start an automatic car pushing it downhill, anyway I had cables and restarted the engine. After a few miles, it stopped again, so I changed battery. The old one was in bad condition.
The new battery (12v-100a) lasted for a few miles. I had a backup alternator and put it on the car instead of the old one. It seems to have solved the problem, anyway, measurement said that the old alternator gave about 8, the new one 11-12. So, from what I learnt from http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285097 the new one is not working properly.
Anyway, the question is: is it possible that a brand new battery goes to zero in a few miles (about 45 minutes) driving, with lights and radio on?

And what position should the battery indicator have when everything is working fine? halfway between H and L ?

If the alternator is not working, the CHECK ENGINE light is supposed to come on?

Thank you for your time, regards from cloudy and rainy Italy

 

[bobflood]

I don't write too often but be sure that I read regularly this interesting forum. Living in italy and driving an Explorer isn't easy, but this forum really helps a lot.

I have a couple of questions for you experts.

1- Anyway, the question is: can you suggest a better way to stop an explorer running with engine off?

Put both feet on the brake pedal and push as hard as you can!! Try to hit something soft!!! Not much else you can do.

2- Anyway, the question is: is it possible that a brand new battery goes to zero in a few miles (about 45 minutes) driving, with lights and radio on?

Yes.

And what position should the battery indicator have when everything is working fine? halfway between H and L ?

That's about right; mine sits a little below half way.

If the alternator is not working, the CHECK ENGINE light is supposed to come on?

Nope - "Check Engine" won't come on for this, as it's not "emissions" related. This happened to me recently. The alternator light (a little battery looking icon in middle of insturment cluster) came on. Eventulaly, the "Check Gage" light came on when battery level got low enough.

Thank you for your time, regards from cloudy and rainy Italy

 

[italianbigsky]

Thanks for your answers!

About the soft place to hit, I'll better put a pillow instead of a bullbar, it could help!

About the check engine light, I knew that it should not warn about the alternator, but it was the only light ON in that moment, not considering the ABS and the check gauge. But check gauge is on everytime one of the indicator is near zero, and as my tank is always almost empty I don't even look at it

Even in this forum (and others here in italy) told me that the CHECK ENGINE light comes on so often because of LPG device. Maybe it's true, anyway, the alternator light was off I'm 100% sure about that.
And as you said that it should come on when alternator is not working properly, I'm afraid that I haven't solved the problem changing the alternator.


Thank you again!

 

[bobflood]

Thanks for your answers!

About the soft place to hit, I'll better put a pillow instead of a bullbar, it could help!

About the check engine light, I knew that it should not warn about the alternator, but it was the only light ON in that moment, not considering the ABS and the check gauge. But check gauge is on everytime one of the indicator is near zero, and as my tank is always almost empty I don't even look at it

Even in this forum (and others here in italy) told me that the CHECK ENGINE light comes on so often because of LPG device. Maybe it's true, anyway, the alternator light was off I'm 100% sure about that.
And as you said that it should come on when alternator is not working properly, I'm afraid that I haven't solved the problem changing the alternator.


Thank you again!

I know nothing about LPG equipped vehicles and the effect on Check Engine light, so I will certainly bow to others experience.

The "charging system light" looks like a little battery; it is next to the "1" in the tachometer portion of the insturment panel. According to the owners manual, it lights up briefly when you turn the vehicle on as a bulb check. If yours does not, the bulb is probably burned out and should be replaced.

I would not assume that you have any ongoing alternator issue unless battery dies again. Be a good idea to take off and clean all of the battery and alternator connections. Also, check all of the battery cables - they can corrode down inside the insulation and thus look OK but be bad.

 

[SoNic67]

Probably your alternator has a shorted diode inside. You NEVER replace the battery without checking the alternator output, otherwise you will damage the new battery too.
In US we can check the alternators for free at the shops that we buy batteries.
If you have a small volt-meter, the voltage on battery, with engine running (good alternator), should be 14.2-14.4V.

 

[italianbigsky]

The charging system light is ok, the little battery light turns on when I start the engine On my opld car, when alternator died, the light stayed on until I solved the problem. This time, the only light I had on in my panel was the ABS, but after the battery gauge arrived low down to zero.

Till now, the new alternator is working fine, my battery gauge is halfway between H and L and engine start without any difficulty.
I'm going a little offroad this afternoon for a barbeque on the lakeside, so have a great weekend you all and thank you!