Cold Natured Catera

overplayed · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-04, 08:52 PM

I started my Catera this morning, to defrost the windshield, and came back in the house. When I went back out, the car was not running and the battery was run down.

I had noticed slight rough idling on a couple of previous cold mornings, but after only brief warm up,all was well. Are Cateras cold natured or is there something I sould check out?

Jeff

**Vesicant** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-04, 09:01 PM

Dude, how long were you inside for?

Thats pretty odd... alternator not charging the battery maybe?

Any trouble lights on ? ( Battery light specific)

Cold idle on most cars is a lil rough- the Catera is no exception, ours does a slight rumble until its warm.

overplayed · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-04, 09:19 PM

I went back in for about 20 min or so to get ready for work and assume the car cut off soon after I left it alone with radio, rear defrost and front defrost on. The battery still had some juice left but not enough to crank it back up. That fuse box directly over the positive battery post sure made it hard to jump start.

Jeff

**Vesicant** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-04, 09:33 PM

Do a test and do the same thing again.. but yet with you being outside watching the car. Wonder if it will happen again. Watch the voltage meter.

Your alternator may be weak im spec'n ... autozone and so forth do tests for free.

mastertech · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-04, 11:35 AM

Generators do not normally fail on Cateras....you most likely need a positive battery cable assembly, they tend to get really crappy right where the lead clamp is crimped on near the battery....you can test with your fingers....if it feels all mushy and the insulation is split, you need a new one. I suggest having a dealer replace, as it is no picnic. Good Luck!

overplayed · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-04, 07:12 PM

I do not think it is the alternator because after I jumped it and drove to work the battery charged up just fine. The next day when I warmed it up, it did a little rumble like it was going to cut off but I gave it a little gas and the idle smoothed out after that. I had noticed the rumble a couple of times before, like 10-15 seconds after I started it up, but after that it runs fine. I think it just cut off right after I left it and run the pattery down but I will check the positive cables tomorow.

Thanks Jeff