Multiple Electrical Issues? Check Battery Before Repairs

Had the exact same symptoms on my 2013 Chevy Spark last month. Unusual error codes, flickering lights, and slow starts are classic signs of battery failure, but in my case, it turned out to be the battery sensor causing these issues. The battery sensor (part of the charging system) was misreading the battery's charge state, causing the alternator to charge incorrectly. The mechanic initially thought it was just a dead battery, but testing showed the charging system wasn't working properly. The fix required replacing the battery sensor and recalibrating the charging system. While not as simple as cleaning terminals or replacing a discharged battery, it wasn't a major repair. The original battery was actually fine once the sensor was replaced. Quick tip: Get the charging system tested before replacing the battery. A faulty sensor can drain a good battery, and you might end up replacing a perfectly good one unnecessarily. These symptoms definitely warrant professional diagnosis, don't risk damaging your electrical system by waiting too long.

That battery sensor issue sounds exactly like what I experienced! Had those same problems with unusual codes and dim lights. My mechanic also initially thought it was just a dead battery causing the drain, but further testing revealed sensor problems. Really curious, what did the repair end up costing you? After fixing mine, I also discovered some corroded wiring near the alternator that needed attention. Have you had any other electrical issues pop up since getting it fixed? This information could be super helpful since I'm still keeping an eye on my charging system to make sure everything's working properly.

Got the battery sensor fixed about two weeks ago and everything's running perfectly now! The repair cost me 315€, definitely worth it since the heavy battery discharge issues completely stopped. The mechanic replaced the faulty sensor and recalibrated the whole charging system. No more error codes or battery drain problems since then. The lights are bright and steady now, and the car starts like a charm every morning. It's actually impressive how one small sensor can cause so many electrical gremlins. Haven't spotted any corroded wiring near my alternator like you mentioned, guess I got lucky there. The battery terminals are clean and the charging system's working exactly as it should. The original battery turned out to be fine once the sensor was replaced, which saved me from an unnecessary battery replacement. If you're still monitoring your charging system, a good battery voltage meter can help track things. They're pretty cheap and can give you early warning if the low battery symptoms start coming back.

Thanks everyone for the help! Wanted to share how my repair went since it might help others. Finally took it to a new mechanic yesterday after all your advice. Just like you guys mentioned, it wasn't just a simple discharged battery problem. The mechanic found the faulty battery sensor right away and spotted some corroded wires near the alternator. Total bill came to about €280, €180 for the sensor replacement and calibration, plus another €100 to fix the wiring. Quick repair job, took about 2 hours. Car's running great now! All those electrical system issues cleared up instantly. No more flickering lights or error codes, and it starts up perfectly every morning. Definitely learned my lesson about not waiting too long when electrical problems show up. Got a battery voltage meter to keep an eye on things, just to be safe. Really glad I checked here first instead of just replacing the battery.