nini2006

Hey, I've been smelling a rotten egg odor only occasionally while driving. I can't be specific about the driving conditions, but I can smell it more while I am driving on the streets (slower speed, more idling). It is not a constant thing, either.
Also, my headlights and console lights have been dimming and growing bright sporadically while driving on the freeway.
My guess is that these are indications of a bad battery?
Thanks

94hatchvx

the roten egg smell is your catalytic converter. it is probobly going bad or is already bad. the dash you say dims spiraticaly? check your wires to your alternator and make sure you have a good connection on it and every other plug on your harness and battery.

EX-T

I'm going with a bad O2 sensor on the rotten egg smell.

A quick and easy way to see if you alternator is bad is to start up you car and remove the ground wire from your battery. If the car dies, you have a bad alternator and if not, you have other problems.

nini2006

Alright, thanks.
I'm going to get my battery tested tomorrow. It has been making some funny bubbling sounds when I check it after running it, so I probably need to replace it anyway. In the meantime, I'll check all the wiring.
Once that's done, I'll see if the smell goes away. If not, the cat will be the next place I look.
Thanks again

nini2006

I'm also going to test that method tomorrow also. Thanks for the reminder.
What's a good way to test the O2 sensor? I've heard briefly about using a voltmeter to test it. I'll look more into that.

1.6t

Thanks

EG2Driver

just go to the source. What smells like rotten eggs? Sulfur. Where is sulfur from? The cat eliminates it, so i will further add onto ur cat being bad. Keep us posted.

IHateJDM

although a cat usually is the culprit of the rotten egg smell, I'm pretty sure its the battery in this case.

urnotfast

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IHateJDM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">although a cat usually is the culprit of the rotten egg smell, I'm pretty sure its the battery in this case. </TD></TR></TABLE>
he is right its your battery. i had someone come to my shop a couple weeks ago with the same problem and it was his battery. besides how is your converter gonna be dimming your lights.battery is the only logical answer.
peace
eric

JdmB16Eg6

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX-T &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
A quick and easy way to see if you alternator is bad is to start up you car and remove the ground wire from your battery. If the car dies, you have a bad alternator and if not, you have other problems.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that doesnt work for newer cars i believe. maybe 2000+ or somthing like that

IHateJDM

To check on the alternator, I would just check the voltage at the fuse box while the car is running. the battery alone will give out 11-12v, with the alternator, it'll be high 13v - low 14v. I still say its the battery though. When a battery gives off that smell, its usually beyond the point of recharging.

nini2006

I took it down to Kragen and the battery health is 100% put it needs a good charge and the alternator is puttin out 18V when at full load. So the voltage regulator either needs to be replaced, or I just need to charge the battery, so we'll see. I bought an alt on ebay for $30, so I'll get that tested when it comes and hook it up if it's in good condition.

nini2006

Yeah, see my reply to urnotfast. I had it tested and at full load, the alt was charging at 18v. I got a replacement so I'm gunna see how that works.
I'll keep you posted.

nini2006

Got a new battery (after the old one exploded...) and no more smell.

YeeJ6

the smell is your catalytic converter.

nini2006

Contrary to popular belief, this time it wasn't my cat. My battery exploded the other day and I replaced it. Smell is gone. Thanks for the suggestion though.

YeeJ6

damn, that crazy. good to konw your fixed the problem

nini2006

Thanks for your concern.

xd69

iTrader: (1)

im going to have to say it's your clutch