3.8L engine, new battery. Turn on the key and the starter clicks but does not rotate engine. Turn the key off and then back on, the starter solenoid clicks but then cranks over the engine and it starts. It runs at about 2000 rpm for about 20 seconds then drops down to 1000, voltage on dash is showing almost 0, then the voltage jumps up to about 3/4 on the guage. Battery starts making boiling sounds. Some times the voltage stays at or near 0 and the engine dies out with the airbag light flashing. I am wondering if a bad battery or bad alt or bad electronic connections somewhere. If the voltage is in the 3/4 range, the airbag light goes off and stays off. No SES light comes on when engine is running.

 

Get a real volt meter hooked up. Don't try to use built in gages to trouble shoot. Once voltage falls below a cetain point the computer will just give up and shut itself down so no damage will occur.

 

I did not have my meter with me when working on the car but checked the voltage on the battery this morning after charging it last night. The voltage is showing 11 with no load. I think I might have bought a battery that has some issues.

 

check:
1)battery for not being a faulty one

2) alternator is still working or not

3) faulty voltage regulator

 

Just took the battery by Advanced Auto. It had a dead cell. They exchange it and hopefully, that is what is causing the problem. Bad thing is, It will be about 2 weeks before I get a chance to go back to the shop and try it.

 

Hopefully that is the cause. Good Luck