Today was the first time the ol' 2006 hhr with 270,000+ km let us down.

Cruising along I5 at 70mph, and "Check Charging System" flashed on the dash, quickly followed by "Battery Save Mode". Grabbed the next exit about 2 miles down the road and pulled into a non-service gas station - just as various electrical systems were shutting down including the power steering, and it quit just as it was pulled into a safe parking spot.

Checked under the hood - serpentine belt still in place, but a noxious burnt smell coming from around the alternator area. Plugged the code reader in - battery voltage 10.4V!!!! Well that was not much warning at all - three/four minutes warning and the car was dead. And of course the key was stuck in the ignition, so let the battery rest for a few minutes and it gave us enough juice to get the key out.

Called AA and got it towed to the nearest dealer, dropped the keys off in the earlybird bin, along with a description of the problem. there was just enough juice to be able to get it into Neutral to get it on and off the tow truck.

We went to leave the parking lot in the son-in laws CRV, and found we were locked in the lot - big lock on the gate!! Thanks sales staff and cleaning crew that locked us in. Now we notice the NO TRESPASSING FROM 9 PM to 6AM sign - gotta get out of this place before we get the cops on us. LOL

No problem - the CRV crawled it's way up the bank from the parking lot onto the road. :)

So hopefully they will get us back on the road Friday, as they are closed on Saturday.

Oh well - there is a first time for everything.

 

Most likely the battery, gone south! Possibly the extra load took out the alternator.
Good thing you weren't on the highway or out in the boondocks!!
Glad you're not locked in the yard till Monday

 

I got locked in at my daughters school a couple of years ago. I had to do the same, climb a hill and cross a couple of curbs in a Chevy Cavalier. Thankfully I made it with no major damage.

Hopefully they will get you back on the road quickly.

 

Estimate = $904, OUCH!!! including alternator and a new serpentine belt (was still running the original one, so might as well change it at the same time). Should be ready this afternoon. Yeah!!! Gonna have to scrounge the neighbourhood for bottles to recycle to pay for this. :)

 

$904. Yes,,,,OUCH!!

I hope that's for a 24k gold plated alternator.

 

I paid about 454 USD to have my alternator and serpentine belt replaced at the dealer..... HMMMM

 

Whopper has to pay the Canadian price, even if he's in the US.

 

Canadian alternators are more expensive, eh? (sorry I had to XD)

 

US MSRP for alternator is $501.74 + 1.6 hours labor
Belt $29.33, labor should be included above since R&R belt is part of the procedure.

 

thanks for the cost breakdown guys.

And add the "diagnostic fee" of $108. Sure does add up. In Canadian it will likely end up in the neighbourhood of $1300+!!!!!!! Oh well, $hit happens.