Q&A

It sounds like you have a Charging System Problem, since the red Battery Light came on with the Check Engine Light. The Check Engine Light will come if there is a charging system issue, because this will effect the proper function of the emissions systems. Your car actually runs of the Alternator, not the Battery. A car like yours has about 40 Ecu's and the battery can not keep the proper system voltage at 14.1 volts. It can only go to about 12.7. This will cause very real running problems and even dying becuase of unstable Voltages in the the Power Train Management Systems.

If your car just dies like it ran out of gas the battery light and check engine light will always come on. Turn your key to the on position without starting and you'll see the same thing. It sounds more like a fuel delivery problem. Fuel pumps are extremely common on your car and the most common cause of of the condition you described.

The other more uncommon reason (which I have seen more times than I can remember) is when the car overheats, the driver ignores the red temp gauge, keeps driving and eventually stalls out due to an extreme over heat and loss of compression. You will see the battery light and check engine light, only this time you will need to replace the engine.

Hopefully you just need a fuel pump.

On a side note: A problem in the charging system will never set a check engine light on your particular vehicle. If the alternator were the failure, all of your lights and instruments would go dim and the car would then stall. You would likely not get it restarted.

If your car just dies like it ran out of gas the battery light and check engine light will always come on. Turn your key to the on position without starting and you'll see the same thing. It sounds more like a fuel delivery problem. Fuel pumps are extremely common on your car and the most common cause of of the condition you described.

The other more uncommon reason (which I have seen more times than I can remember) is when the car overheats, the driver ignores the red temp gauge, keeps driving and eventually stalls out due to an extreme over heat and loss of compression. You will see the battery light and check engine light, only this time you will need to replace the engine.

Hopefully you just need a fuel pump.

On a side note: A problem in the charging system will never set a check engine light on your particular vehicle. If the alternator were the failure, all of your lights and instruments would go dim and the car would then stall. You would likely not get it restarted.

I am having the same problems. My car shuts down as I arrive at a stop. I noticed that the MPG needle increases indicated fuel consumption/lower MPG as I come to a stop with the clutch in. RPM stays steady at idle (approx 800 rpm) but the engine just dies sometimes as I stop. Also, during acceleration, I can hold the gas to the floor in second gear and the car accelerates at the same rate no matter where I have the gas pedal. I've replaced the fuel pump(s) in 2007. Maybe that is the problem, I don't know. Anyone!???

You may have a battery or alternator problem. I would have a knowledgable shop load test the battery and test the charging system as well as scan the check engine codes. That will give you a good idea of what is going on. At Motorsport in San Mateo we scan and test your battery and charging system at no cost.

My guess is the engine code is for the battery voltage dropping and your alternator causing the battery to drain. But of course we would need to confirm this.