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I have a 2010 Honda Insight. I think the battery is low because the car doesn't turn over when I turn the key. I also used a multimeter and found the battery is 10.6V. The car is also giving me warnings regarding:

  1. Check Brake System
  2. Check Airbag System
  3. Check ABS System
  4. Passenger Side Airbag

I'm wondering if the low battery is causing all these warnings. I don't want to waste money on a new battery for a car that's on it's last legs so I want to make sure the battery is causing this before I get a new one.

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2 Answers2

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I'm working on the assumption that these codes all came up at once when you started to have other problems. If these codes have all appeared over time then they are probably actual faults.

It's entirely possible that a low battery can cause all sorts of strange issues, including codes such as yours. The only way to say for sure is to replace the battery and see if the codes go away. If you don't want a new one see if you can find a used one from a yard.

Other possible issues would be you have an electrical fault of some kind, like a short in a wire. This could cause a parasitic power drain, and codes to be thrown. It could also be a faulty body control module.

GdD
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In a nutshell, yes, a low battery can cause you trouble codes where none should exist. Low batteries can cause all kinds of lights to flash.

Before you buy a new battery, though, you should make sure it is actually at issue. Charge the battery and see if it will handle a charge. If it won't accept (and keep) a charge, then restart your vehicle making sure you clear the codes at some point during the process. If the codes come back, then you have other issues you need to attend to.

If you're able to recharge the battery and get it started, check your alternator to see if it is functioning correctly. If you put a multimeter on the battery while it's running, observe the voltage. It should be steady state at around 13.5-14.1 vdc. If the voltage is continuously dropping, it's the alternator at fault not the battery (could also be the battery is bad, but we're looking at the alternator right now).

If the battery won't hold a charge, then replace it. At this point you know it's bad, but it's better to test it rather than drop a couple hundred bucks without really knowing.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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