Any ideas?

rob madison · June 6th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Yesterday i was driving and all of a sudden my car just died on me. I replaced the battery a month ago, and i'm wondering could my alternator cause my car to shut down suddenly.Also is it possible to push start it eventhough it wouldn't crank up? would the alternator cause it not to be started? my car is a 98 cobra, any suggestions what could be the problem?

wraitherx · June 6th, 2009, 06:08 PM

if your alternator is bad then it is not charging the battery at all. you can run on it for a certain amount of time until your completely drain the battery thus not being able to start it or anything. check the connections first. then either test it yourself or get a new battery and drive it to an autoparts store will they will test it for you, usually for free. it should read 11.4-12v with the key off and 13.4-14.4 with the engine running. if it is not reading those then your alternator is gone

wraitherx · June 6th, 2009, 06:08 PM

also check all of your grounds

Cricket · June 6th, 2009, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by wraitherlx

if your alternator is bad then it is not charging the battery at all. you can run on it for a certain amount of time until your completely drain the battery thus not being able to start it or anything. check the connections first. then either test it yourself or get a new battery and drive it to an autoparts store will they will test it for you, usually for free. it should read 11.4-12v with the key off and 13.4-14.4 with the engine running. if it is not reading those then your alternator is gone

Originally Posted by wraitherlx

also check all of your grounds

+1...just went through that with a buddy. But Primo knows that...he did the testing.

99blkcobra · June 6th, 2009, 09:30 PM

is ur check engine light on?

wraitherx · June 6th, 2009, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Cricket

+1...just went through that with a buddy. But Primo knows that...he did the testing.

Mustang RacR94 · June 7th, 2009, 02:27 PM

is it not cranking or just not starting, and yes It could be an alternator, do you have a multimeter with a amp clamp? if not the test for the alternator can be done at a dealer or garage. but if you charge the battery for a long time and it starts again then its prob the alternator

TUGGER · June 8th, 2009, 11:08 PM

2 days ago my car started doing something similar. When I came to a stop at stop sign/red light my cars RPMs would drop way down and the car would shut off. I would restart it and it would fire right back up. Car would idle fine but it was when I was bringing it to a stop that the RPMS would drop way down like it wanted to die out. Turns out the Idler Control Valve went out. I'm having it replaced tommorrow. Don't know if this helps or is similar to your problem. I figured mine was alternator or battery related issue but both checked out fine. Hope this helps.

tweeters97 · June 9th, 2009, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by TUGGER

2 days ago my car started doing something similar. When I came to a stop at stop sign/red light my cars RPMs would drop way down and the car would shut off. I would restart it and it would fire right back up. Car would idle fine but it was when I was bringing it to a stop that the RPMS would drop way down like it wanted to die out. Turns out the Idler Control Valve went out. I'm having it replaced tommorrow. Don't know if this helps or is similar to your problem. I figured mine was alternator or battery related issue but both checked out fine. Hope this helps.

+1 my car did the same. i replaced iac and no problems since. take your car to a parts store where they can check the alternator for you. i work at advance auto and we test the battery and alt at the same time on our machine. we test the alternator while the car is running to check it under a load. testing it with a voltmeter is not difinitive enough with all the electrical components and ecu that has power feeding it.

TUGGER · June 9th, 2009, 05:02 PM

They checked both under full load and said all was good. I'm going to see how it runs with the new iac but I don't think I'll have any more issues.

tweeters97 · June 10th, 2009, 12:24 AM

cool man. good luck. let us know how it turned out.

TUGGER · June 11th, 2009, 01:33 AM

Got the car back today and it is running 100 times better. I think the idler has been going out ever since I bought the car last september.

rob madison · June 17th, 2009, 11:34 AM

I took the alternator off and got it checked, it was fine. Also my battery was down to about 59%, i took it back and got it charged up complete. Still wasn't able to start it. I tried push starting it and when i popped the clutch, it just shook a little and nothing happened. The problem that i'm having is i can't get it started to get the alternator checked in the car. Would the idle control valve stop it from being push started? Also when it first shut down i was able to start it and it did idle a little and that was that.

phoenix99 · June 17th, 2009, 12:42 PM

your theft light is flashing?

check your sparkplug or your crank position sensor too

Molitor · June 18th, 2009, 07:47 AM

I remember reading a thread awhile back that sounded alot like this, it ended up being the guys key was cracked, so if you have a chipped key maybe that is it, if you have a spare key try using that one, thats bout all my lil mind could think of.

Molitor · June 18th, 2009, 08:58 AM

Just talked with a guy in the smoking area, said that if you hit a bump or something rattles your car a lil the fuel shut off switch could kick on and it cuts all fuel flow and the car won’t even turn over, he said it’s a safety feature for if you ever get in an accident, he works at an auto shop back in the states. So have you hit any really big pot holes are any brick walls latly?

Drtbkercr5 · June 18th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Molitor

Just talked with a guy in the smoking area, said that if you hit a bump or something rattles your car a lil the fuel shut off switch could kick on and it cuts all fuel flow and the car won’t even turn over, he said it’s a safety feature for if you ever get in an accident, he works at an auto shop back in the states. So have you hit any really big pot holes are any brick walls latly?

Had this happen to me in a ford probe while racing. DIdnt even hit anyone. THe switch is in the trunk on the left hand side in my GT so Im guessing it will be right around there in the cobra. Would not hurt to try pushing the button cuz even if that isnt the problem then the button wont change anything so its worth a shot

Molitor · June 18th, 2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Drtbkercr5

Had this happen to me in a ford probe while racing. DIdnt even hit anyone. THe switch is in the trunk on the left hand side in my GT so Im guessing it will be right around there in the cobra. Would not hurt to try pushing the button cuz even if that isnt the problem then the button wont change anything so its worth a shot

mhmm, would that be my Ford Probe?

Drtbkercr5 · June 18th, 2009, 08:28 PM

nope. it was the red one that you stole the heater knobs out of you asshole!! I needed them when I was out on the dirt track

Fluffy The Rhino · June 18th, 2009, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by TUGGER

2 days ago my car started doing something similar. When I came to a stop at stop sign/red light my cars RPMs would drop way down and the car would shut off. I would restart it and it would fire right back up. Car would idle fine but it was when I was bringing it to a stop that the RPMS would drop way down like it wanted to die out. Turns out the Idler Control Valve went out. I'm having it replaced tommorrow. Don't know if this helps or is similar to your problem. I figured mine was alternator or battery related issue but both checked out fine. Hope this helps.

I just ordered a new IAC for mine. It's been doing it for a few years. I've been lazy : D I just got used to gear braking

June 6th, 2009, 05:54 PM	#1
rob madison Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	Any ideas? Yesterday i was driving and all of a sudden my car just died on me. I replaced the battery a month ago, and i'm wondering could my alternator cause my car to shut down suddenly.Also is it possible to push start it eventhough it wouldn't crank up? would the alternator cause it not to be started? my car is a 98 cobra, any suggestions what could be the problem?

June 6th, 2009, 06:08 PM	#2
wraitherx Moderator '99 SVT Cobra Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 9,568 iTrader: 11 reviews	if your alternator is bad then it is not charging the battery at all. you can run on it for a certain amount of time until your completely drain the battery thus not being able to start it or anything. check the connections first. then either test it yourself or get a new battery and drive it to an autoparts store will they will test it for you, usually for free. it should read 11.4-12v with the key off and 13.4-14.4 with the engine running. if it is not reading those then your alternator is gone __________________ BUILD 2 IN PROGRESS

June 6th, 2009, 06:08 PM	#3
wraitherx Moderator '99 SVT Cobra Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 9,568 iTrader: 11 reviews	also check all of your grounds __________________ BUILD 2 IN PROGRESS

June 6th, 2009, 09:30 PM	#5
99blkcobra Hardcore Enthusiast 1999 cobra Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,741 iTrader: 2 reviews	is ur check engine light on? __________________ 1999 Mustang Cobra (rebuilding, someday...) 1996 civic dd [/SIZE] MM Cobra Club #3

June 7th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#7
Mustang RacR94 MM Fanatic 99 cobra N/A Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 3,169 iTrader: 0 reviews	is it not cranking or just not starting, and yes It could be an alternator, do you have a multimeter with a amp clamp? if not the test for the alternator can be done at a dealer or garage. but if you charge the battery for a long time and it starts again then its prob the alternator __________________ 99 Cobra 03 Cobra motor AFCO H/E Pulley JLT CAI BBK L/T off road H/steeda catback SCT MAF Tune 03 cobra pumps HVGC

June 8th, 2009, 11:08 PM	#8
TUGGER Newbie 2003 SVT Cobra Vert Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: OR Posts: 36 iTrader: 0 reviews	2 days ago my car started doing something similar. When I came to a stop at stop sign/red light my cars RPMs would drop way down and the car would shut off. I would restart it and it would fire right back up. Car would idle fine but it was when I was bringing it to a stop that the RPMS would drop way down like it wanted to die out. Turns out the Idler Control Valve went out. I'm having it replaced tommorrow. Don't know if this helps or is similar to your problem. I figured mine was alternator or battery related issue but both checked out fine. Hope this helps. __________________ 2003 SVT Cobra Vert Magnaflow Catback, K&N CAI, 18" Replica Chrome Bullitts, Diablosport 91 Octane Performance

June 9th, 2009, 05:02 PM	#10
TUGGER Newbie 2003 SVT Cobra Vert Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: OR Posts: 36 iTrader: 0 reviews	They checked both under full load and said all was good. I'm going to see how it runs with the new iac but I don't think I'll have any more issues. __________________ 2003 SVT Cobra Vert Magnaflow Catback, K&N CAI, 18" Replica Chrome Bullitts, Diablosport 91 Octane Performance

June 10th, 2009, 12:24 AM	#11
tweeters97 Regular 1997 Cobra 13.62@104 Join Date: May 2007 Location: atlanta Posts: 144 iTrader: 0 reviews	cool man. good luck. let us know how it turned out. __________________ MM Cobra Club #29 Who are you?????? Choose your destiny!!!!!!

June 11th, 2009, 01:33 AM	#12
TUGGER Newbie 2003 SVT Cobra Vert Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: OR Posts: 36 iTrader: 0 reviews	Got the car back today and it is running 100 times better. I think the idler has been going out ever since I bought the car last september. __________________ 2003 SVT Cobra Vert Magnaflow Catback, K&N CAI, 18" Replica Chrome Bullitts, Diablosport 91 Octane Performance

June 17th, 2009, 11:34 AM	#13
rob madison Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	I took the alternator off and got it checked, it was fine. Also my battery was down to about 59%, i took it back and got it charged up complete. Still wasn't able to start it. I tried push starting it and when i popped the clutch, it just shook a little and nothing happened. The problem that i'm having is i can't get it started to get the alternator checked in the car. Would the idle control valve stop it from being push started? Also when it first shut down i was able to start it and it did idle a little and that was that.

June 17th, 2009, 12:42 PM	#14
phoenix99 Regular Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 179 iTrader: 0 reviews	your theft light is flashing? check your sparkplug or your crank position sensor too __________________ Addicted to adrenaline Forged 5.4 4v with B heads and nitrous. Tuned by me

June 18th, 2009, 07:47 AM	#15
Molitor Enthusiast 2004 Mustang Mach 1 1994 Dodge Ram 5.9L 4WD 1976 Monte Carlo Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winona, Minnesota Posts: 804 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	I remember reading a thread awhile back that sounded alot like this, it ended up being the guys key was cracked, so if you have a chipped key maybe that is it, if you have a spare key try using that one, thats bout all my lil mind could think of. __________________ Military Crew MM Sapper Squad Zombie Killing Club Member #4 Black Stang Crew Member #5

June 18th, 2009, 08:58 AM	#16
Molitor Enthusiast 2004 Mustang Mach 1 1994 Dodge Ram 5.9L 4WD 1976 Monte Carlo Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winona, Minnesota Posts: 804 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	Just talked with a guy in the smoking area, said that if you hit a bump or something rattles your car a lil the fuel shut off switch could kick on and it cuts all fuel flow and the car won’t even turn over, he said it’s a safety feature for if you ever get in an accident, he works at an auto shop back in the states. So have you hit any really big pot holes are any brick walls latly? __________________ Military Crew MM Sapper Squad Zombie Killing Club Member #4 Black Stang Crew Member #5

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