hello all,
I am looking for possible solutions for my brother.
His car just crap out while driving. He said that while he was driving his car didnt want to go over 20MPH and keep feeling like it wanted to stall. He said he gave it a little gas and that is when it just died. I went out to look at it and when attempting to turn the key it was as if the battery died. I hooked it up with jumpers and it sounded like it wanted to turn over but no luck.
He also said that when looking at his oil dip stick that the oil looked yellowish and thicker than normal.
Finally, I hooked it to tow it back to his house he said that while he applied the brakes that all the dashboard and lights inside the car were going on and off. I checked it when we got there and as soon as you press on the brake it seemed to take power from everywhere else. He couldnt even shift out of park without having the battery hooked up with jumpers to mine.

Please if anyone has gone through this or any idea your help would be greatly appriciated. If you need more details please let me know.
thank you in advance.

 

Since there are no details on the year of the car, age of the battery I'd suggest as the first step to check the battery - it sounds like it is dead, and due for a replacement. Any autoparts store can put a load-tester on it and check the state of the battery for you for free.

Where were you jumping it from? Directly to the battery under the rear floor, or under the hood?

Oil thicker and yellowish - that might be an indication of coolant mixed with the oil - that definitely needs checking further. Drain the oil and check it out. If it is coolant mixed in with it, it could indicate anything from just a head gasket problem, to a cracked head/block etc.. Was the engine making any nasty sounds just prior to when it stopped running?

 

Welcome to the site first thing to check is the battery. A failing battery can creat all kinds of strange systems. Also check the connections at the under the hood fuse box (PDC) I have seen them get loose and or break.

 

Whopper - Sorry about missing those details, its a 2007 and age of battery IDk I would assume that its prob the same one that came with car. We were trying to jump it directly to the battey. YES, my brother says that the car was making this clicking sound prior to it stalling. he described it as when you put a card on the back tire of your bike to make a noise.
head gasket problem, to a cracked head/block etc.. would that mean the end!?

Lucky - thank you, and yes i checked the fuse under the hood they were just not set in right but still did nothing for the car.

The car right cant move and I am completly stumped. He does not have money for auto body repairs so hoping you guys can help.

 

"Clicking sound prior to stalling" Sounds like a blown motor.

Based on the descriptions in your 2 posts I read, sounds like you're not familiar with doing major vehicle repairs. This one may need a pro to look at it and give you a diagnosis.
Got any friends or family members in the auto repair business that could look at it for you?
These type problems are not the ones to rely on a "internet diagnosis".

 

blown motor!? yea I wouldnt mess with trying something major like that. I have some skills but nothing that would involve major work.

Would a blown motor cause some of the issues that I described?

 

Yep those can be sounds from a motor having internal failure. If you can find a compression gauge you can do a compression test to confirm the motor needs major repair. But from your description it don't sound good. Is this a high mileage motor?

 

Yeah, it sounds like that engine has had it, but good used replacement engines start in the $600-$750 range, it's the labor that the can get ya.

Check around in your area for a shop with a good reputation, and a good history with the BBB, then get some quotes on replacing the engine.

 

I see thanks guys for the input. I was hoping it would be the starter or battery at the least but now its just wishful thinking.
I cant even get the engine to turn over. The whole car is like shorting out.

 

yes the engine is of high milage i think its up there in the 160k+