How to find and fix a problem when a car shuts off

[Brian]

Yesterday while driving to work going around 65 mph or so, I suddenly lost power so I got over to the shoulder and started to slow down but before I could fully stop my car turned off. I tried to start it a few min later and it made the same sound a car makes when your battery is dead but won’t start. I drive a 2002 Honda accord sedan. I don’t know enough about cars but I want to learn and I want to fix this on my own if possible.

Topic

[college man]

seeing the battery seemed dead on restart. Check your battery/charging system.
If the car does not have the power to run the computer the car will die.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems

[Tanner]

I agree check your battery, alternator and all connections. My mom has a 96 jeep cherokee that the battery was shot so we replaced it and a week later it wouldnt start becuase the battery was dead. so we figured alternator. just for kicks I checked the connections and it turned out that the battery terminal was tight but was so corroded that it couldnt get the right voltage. It doesnt sound like a real serious problem just a little diagnosing. good luck! let us know.

[Terry Hiatt]

Does sound like a charging system problem. Running off the battery only until there just wasn’t the voltage in the battery to keep thing running. Thus the “dead battery” sounds when you tried to restart. When checking the charging system, remember to check the drive belt for the alternator, a slipping belt just wont keep the alternator going enough to charge the system. Drive belt may be fan or serpentine belt – Is it tight nuff, and does the underside look “rubbery” or polished and shiney – A shined belt is normally a slipping belt,
slipping nuff at 65 mph to not charge correctly? I like to see voltage around 12.5+ while turned off and 14 volts while the car is running. A voltage-ohm meter will tell you wonders about what happening to a car (and around the house)

[Author]

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