Battery light and overheating

[2001LC]

When I pick up the vehicle tomorrow, I will be heading right back up into the mountains again for several more days. Though they are replacing the serpentine belt and any problems directly associated should be picked up on, a greased battery connection is probably not on the radar.

Greased battery connections may not be on radar. But I've seen good mec forget this one. The battery connections build corrosion over time (one to 6 months usually) and can't except charge. Unless belt was slipping for some time, I don't know why else battery would die. Due you play stereo or hear engine most of time?

 

[TetonLC]

Greased battery connections may not be on radar. But I've seen good mec forget this one. The battery connections build corrosion over time (one to 6 months usually) and can't except charge. Unless belt was slipping for some time, I don't know why else battery would die. Due you play stereo or hear engine most of time?

There was quite a bit of corrosion on the terminals. I'm cleaning them about ever 6 months.

I do play stereo most of the time but not always. Its obvious that I need work on exhaust manifold. . . but maybe I don't quite understand your question.

 

[2001LC]

There was quite a bit of corrosion on the terminals. I'm cleaning them about ever 6 months.

I do play stereo most of the time but not always. Its obvious that I need work on exhaust manifold. . . but maybe I don't quite understand your question.

My terminals do not get much corrosion even after one or two years of neglect. When I do clean & grease I use white lithium based grease, but even Vaseline works. Don't know why you'd see quite a bit of corrosion after six months. You may want to try the anti-corrosion felt washers, which go under the battery terminals. They can be bought most anywhere that sells batteries, I use them.

Playing stereo: I was inferring that maybe you did not hear belt slipping do to radio on. So perhaps this was going on for quite some time. The slippage noise would have been most noticeable on acceleration, hard turns or when AC is turning on. Slippage could have reduced alternator effectiveness. Then perhaps you just had lights and accessory on just long enough to run down a battery poorly charged battery.

Coolant on belt could certainly be the issue, causing belt to slip.

Also you may find this interesting. The 100 use an electrical vacuum pump assist for the brakes. When you turn on the key, wait a minute before starting and you’ll hear the pump and feel the brake pedal firm up. So if you lose the serpentine belt you’ll still have brakes assist…nice..right..

BTW: bearing chirping noise is most noticeable when cold.

 

[TetonLC]

Update. . .

So I picked my LC up from the shop today. No overheating, no coolant leakage.

However, the low whine is still there - though not as loud and overwhelming. But, I can still hear it in the cab, and I can still feel the whine in the floorboard and the steering wheel. The whine coincides with the throttle, but also seems to be most noticeable in Park.

This is identical to when the bearing in my alternator was going out about a year and a half ago. They replaced the belt though and checked all of this - plus tested the alternator.

Any thoughts?

 

[Ermagerd]

You could pick up a cheap stethoscope like the one below. They are a valuable tool in troubleshooting loud bearings, vacuum leaks, injector issues, etc.

 

[Ganndolf]

Update. . .

So I picked my LC up from the shop today. No overheating, no coolant leakage.

However, the low whine is still there - though not as loud and overwhelming. But, I can still hear it in the cab, and I can still feel the whine in the floorboard and the steering wheel. The whine coincides with the throttle, but also seems to be most noticeable in Park.

This is identical to when the bearing in my alternator was going out about a year and a half ago. They replaced the belt though and checked all of this - plus tested the alternator.

Any thoughts?

I really really doubt they actually checked all the pulleys and bearings, this is normally something shops tell you right before they also mention they were gracious enough to re grease your door hinges and top off your blinker fluid.

 

[1meancruiser]

I had this exact same issue this morning.

We came up to the mountains with the family on Friday. When I pulled into our garage I heard a whining sound from the engine compartment, it was in the 40s here versus warmer weather at my house. The car drove fine and I put an additional 60 miles or so on it yesterday, and I figured I would take care of it when I got back home.

This morning I got up to go to the market, I turn the car on and let it warm up a bit and the battery light came on. As I drove other lights started to come on and I noticed I was losing battery power. Finally the car stalled altogether and I had it towed to a local shop. The mechanic told me it was a bad alternator, quoted me $430 to have it replaced and I'm having the work done now.

I hope this resolves the issue. I will report back.

 

[1meancruiser]

Yep, just got the car back. The whining sound is gone and everything works great. Needed a new alternator...at 64k mile