About a year ago the alternator was changed because car wouldn't start, engine light was coming on and also the power steering light came on and the power steering was getting stiff. Even the speedometer was starting to stop working. Now the same symptoms are starting again. Is there any correlation between the electrical system and the power steering and speedometer?
The car was brought to the dealer but of course everything works fine when the dealer tries it. It is the original battery, could it be that the alternator is working too hard? I've read about wiring problems but not sure if it pertains to the 2005 models.


Thanks anyone.
SM

 

Well the speedometer and power steering are both electric, so yes there is a correlation between the electrical system and them.

You say the engine light is coming on... do you mean the light with an engine icon, or the check engine light?

It's possible that your alternator is going out again. It's also possible that your battery is at it's end of life and not charging properly. That could make the alternator work at a constant 100% load while it tries to charge a battery which won't accept a charge, and that can wear out the alternator. Most batteries are good for about 5 years, so you're certainly at the point where you should consider replacing it. Add to that that the OEM battery is not a maintenance free battery and requires periodic refilling of water (which nearly no one knows or performs) and your battery could well be dead.

A quick way to check your alternator would be to start the car and then disconnect the positive terminal of the battery while it's running. If it continues to run then the alternator is likely fine.