Over night power dies, backup starter kicks in but car in some brake mode

[juntjoo]

It must be something normal someone will easily explain to me, but maybe not. It's like the engine is seizing the front wheels and the ima is off. I discovered just starting it like that recharges it enough to start it normally. I'm confused though: why is there a problem if the charge meter is full? And what is it that is dying? The 12v battery? I thought it started off the electric motor off the ima battery.

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[samwichse]

I think you may need to sit down at a computer and better describe what's happening here... it sounds like your problems are all over the place.

Sam

[Eli]

Yeah, I'm failing to understand what is happening here too.

But it sounds electrical, so check your ground straps.

/thread

[juntjoo]

Oh that isn't good to read. So none of this sounds familiar? What about the breaking going on? Never heard of that? And when is the backup starter supposed to kick in? Sorry, what are "ground straps". Thanks

[theaveng]

My car used the 12V starter one time after it had done a battery recalibration (emptied the meter). The CHRG light was on while driving, and that made the car feel as if the brake was on

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by juntjoo

Oh that isn't good to read. So none of this sounds familiar? What about the breaking going on? Never heard of that? And when is the backup starter supposed to kick in? Sorry, what are "ground straps". Thanks

We were both asking you to restate the problem in clearer language if you could.

[juntjoo]

It seems like whatever power source it uses to start as it happened after listening to the radio with the engine off or a couple times sitting over night. So i'm not entirely sure on the why. Luckily it hasn't stopped me from driving as I've discovered the backup starter, by just holding the ignition in for a bit longer, where initially I was just jump starting the car which worked. And again, the brake light goes on after starting just the gas engine and the SOME brake is on, not sure which add I don't know how this car works so well. It's not the e-brake and id guess it is the engine or something in the drive train. And again, it all goes away shortly after backup starting it.

So, power drain it seems, and mysterious braking. Oh, and there is an intermittent cel which I have yet to look into, but it doesn't occur congruent to this issue here, so I don't know about that yet. Thanks!

[Jivko57]

the regular starter kicks in when the IMA battery is discharged, or disabled (the computer may disable it for high temperature or as in the above example ( from theaveng) when the ima battery is recalibrating )

the brake light comes on during start up and disappears in a couple of seconds. if it stays on means the 12 v battery is not charging or the sensor for the brake has failed.


you should get a OBDII reader and pull the codes or just go to a place where they will pull them for you (some times it is a free service)

It is not a normal behavior and could be many things, power drain , a weak IMA battery,bad 12v battery, missing or broken ground straps or a cocktail mix from above and /or other factors.

The ground straps are in the engine compartment connecting the engine and gearbox to the car's frame , if damaged , they should be replaceed as charging is disrupted.

[juntjoo]

Thank you. That was helpful. unfortunately doesn't look like the battery is "recalibrating" as it is close to full most of the time and it never "discharged" itself, and then there is that weird braking mechanism going on. But I'll start with the scanner suggestion and go from there. Thanks.

[jerrydelrey]

From what I read, I think your 12 V needs to be replaced.

The brake warning light in mine illuminated when the 12 V was weak. Weird behavior, that the Brake Light goes on before the Battery light, but yeah.

It also might be the grounding straps, or dirty terminals. Clean them.