Sometimes dies at idle when brake depressed, but batt and alt seem ok

[Kdutts]

Ok, soi I was stopping into my work to get my check. I got into my car, turned the key, and nothing. I jumped it just fine with a friend. Upon driving it away, if I was at or near idle speed without having any significant amount of decent driving time, and hit the brake, the gauges would momtarily blip down and catch and go up, and a CEL would come on for about three seconds. I could not diagnose as my pocketlogger would lose connection when this happened. At idle I hit the brake and the car died. I jumped it and put all accessories on and the alt seems to be able to keep up ok when cold, but as the car warms up it seems to get worse, and I'm guessing it would have died. Even though I can't start it, the batt is reading good voltage.

Could this be as simple as corrosion on the terminals, or is this something more sinister?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[maynard]

Did you check your battery voltage with the car running ? It should be around 13 to 15 volts.

 

[Kdutts]

This morning i busted out the faithful wire brush and cordless drill with grinding die and low and behold, it was the battery terminals. I cleaned them off to like new, fired her up, and battery voltage is perfect even when more accessories are switched. I guess its better to feel dumb when it turns out to being some routine maintenance (which I am much more faithful about the engine and drivetrain than electrical...doh!) rather than having my alternator be blown out or a massive short or something. Whew.

 

[maynard]

This morning i busted out the faithful wire brush and cordless drill with grinding die and low and behold, it was the battery terminals. I cleaned them off to like new, fired her up, and battery voltage is perfect even when more accessories are switched. I guess its better to feel dumb when it turns out to being some routine maintenance (which I am much more faithful about the engine and drivetrain than electrical...doh!) rather than having my alternator be blown out or a massive short or something. Whew.

Cool. Glad that was a cheap and easy fix.