It appears you’re encountering a couple of issues with your vehicle, one of which is actually expected behavior, while the other points to a potential problem that needs addressing. Let’s break down each concern to help you diagnose what might be happening.
Firstly, regarding the engine revving limitation you’ve observed. Many modern vehicles, and it’s important to check your specific model’s specifications, are designed with a rev limiter that engages when the car is in neutral or park. This isn’t a malfunction, but rather a protective measure implemented by the car’s computer. This limiter restricts the engine’s RPMs when there’s no load on it, preventing potential damage. For instance, some vehicles might cap the revs at around 2500 RPM in these conditions. To verify if this is the case with your car, safely test the engine’s RPM in first gear on an open road. If the engine revs freely up to the redline while driving, then the limitation you’re seeing in neutral or park is simply the designed rev limiter at work. However, if the engine still refuses to rev beyond 5000 RPM even when in gear and under load, then there might be a different issue affecting engine performance, which could also be investigated using your 90135 Obd2 scanner to check for relevant error codes.
Your more pressing concern is the starting problem. Let’s immediately dismiss the alternator as a likely culprit for a no-start condition, unless it has completely failed and is no longer charging the battery. Based on the healthy voltage readings you’ve provided for your battery, both when the engine is off and running, it indicates that your alternator is likely functioning correctly. This points us towards two more probable areas to investigate.
The first possibility is an issue with the starter itself. Components within the starter motor, such as the brushes, can wear out over time, leading to starting difficulties. Alternatively, and perhaps more commonly, the problem might lie in the main positive battery cable that connects the battery to the starter. Corrosion, either internally within the cable or at the connection points to the starter and battery, can significantly impede the flow of amperage required to crank the engine. This restricted current can manifest as the starting problems you’re experiencing.
A crucial step is to thoroughly inspect the positive battery cable. Carefully examine the entire length of the cable for any bulges or swellings. These are often telltale signs of internal corrosion. If you find any such indications, or if the connections at either end are visibly corroded, replacing the positive battery cable is highly recommended. Furthermore, utilizing your 90135 OBD2 scanner can be beneficial in diagnosing starting issues. While it may not directly pinpoint a corroded cable, it can detect error codes related to the starting system or low voltage issues that might arise from poor cable conductivity, providing further insights into the problem.
