2003 Dodge Stratus 3.0 L Stalls, Battery Problems

2003 Dodge Stratus 3.0 L. I just replaced an 8 month old battery, which tested dead. Battery cables were cleaned for good contact. One day later, the car won't idle when stopped in traffic unless you keep your foot on the gas pedal. It wants to kill. When stopped at a stop light the headlights dim. I have not had the alternator tested yet.



Steve Says,


There are several possibilities. The first and most likely is either a connection problem (but it sounds like you have the connections clean) or an alternator problem. It is not normal for a battery to be bad after only 8 months.


It sounds like maybe the alternator has been on its way out for a while and that might be what caused the old battery to go bad. If an alternator is not maintaining the charge on the battery like it should or if it is only working some of the time it will take out a battery very quickly.


You need to have the alternator tested asap. If the alternator is bad then you will be doing damage to the new battery by driving it like it is. When you have it tested you might as well have them analyze the whole starting/charging system. There might be some other problem that is going on. Be sure that they do a "load test" on the alternator. This test will check to be sure that the alternator performs well under load. Some of the test that you get done at auto parts stores do not do this test so if they can't do it then you might want to go somewhere where they can. The free tests from auto parts stores generally work to tell you if something is completely bad, but don't work well to tell you about things that are just starting to go out.


Most likely whatever is causing the problem will be easy to find so a simple, free test from the auto parts store might do the trick just fine.


Tracing down problems like these can be tricky so be sure that the terminals and cables are clean and tight and look over the battery and alternator wiring and connections to be sure they are clean and tight. You would be surprised at how many people take their cars to a repair shop only to find out the problem was loose battery cables.