I have a 2010 CX-9 with about 135,000 miles. Last year we had the transfer case issue, and instead of replacing the transmission and differential, we just had our mechanic grind down the splines so that it's now a FWD vehicle. I don't think that has anything to do with this problem, but maybe it's useful context.
Anyway, last week, upon starting up the car after a bit of driving, all of the lights on the dashboard lit up. I drove it home (about a mile), tried to start it, and it wouldn't turn over. Thought it was the battery, charged it up, same thing, all lights come on, turns over, but turn it off and it won't start again. Thought it was maybe the alternator.
I waited until the next day, looked at the battery charge and it was fully charged. Started it up, no dashboard lights, alternator check says it's fine.
I took it to the mechanic for an oil change, he said it was throwing a zillion codes but didn't know what the actual problem was. He cleaned the battery terminals, connected them to each other for a while, and then sent us home. Car seemed fine.
Then yesterday, same thing: drove for about 20 miles, then all lights come on and electrical systems go crazy. Car still drives and shifts fine, and we made it home (about 10 miles), but then same thing, won't turn over. Let it sit for a few hours, and it starts up fine, no lights.
Any ideas what this could be? It seems to be somehow associated with the car getting hot, it doesn't affect the drive system of the car. I don't think the car itself is overheating, there's no indication that it is. Are there any electrical systems that are affected by heat? This is a really weird one to me. Any suggestions appreciated. Not sure what to ask the mechanic to check out and don't want to get into a very expensive fishing expedition.
Anyway, last week, upon starting up the car after a bit of driving, all of the lights on the dashboard lit up. I drove it home (about a mile), tried to start it, and it wouldn't turn over. Thought it was the battery, charged it up, same thing, all lights come on, turns over, but turn it off and it won't start again. Thought it was maybe the alternator.
I waited until the next day, looked at the battery charge and it was fully charged. Started it up, no dashboard lights, alternator check says it's fine.
I took it to the mechanic for an oil change, he said it was throwing a zillion codes but didn't know what the actual problem was. He cleaned the battery terminals, connected them to each other for a while, and then sent us home. Car seemed fine.
Then yesterday, same thing: drove for about 20 miles, then all lights come on and electrical systems go crazy. Car still drives and shifts fine, and we made it home (about 10 miles), but then same thing, won't turn over. Let it sit for a few hours, and it starts up fine, no lights.
Any ideas what this could be? It seems to be somehow associated with the car getting hot, it doesn't affect the drive system of the car. I don't think the car itself is overheating, there's no indication that it is. Are there any electrical systems that are affected by heat? This is a really weird one to me. Any suggestions appreciated. Not sure what to ask the mechanic to check out and don't want to get into a very expensive fishing expedition.