Hey guys,
So today i tried to jump my car after the battery seemed dead but it would not work. i tried to wait for it to charge and no luck AT ALL. so i finally bump start it and it runs fine. So i get home and i turn off the car and immediately all my lights turn off, everything. and i cant start my car.

Is my battery seriously that dead?!? I have never heard of a battery that couldnt hold THAT much of a charge!

The night before my battery was able to be jumped by a co-worker after a few attemps but i thought the 25 min drive may have juiced it enough. This seriously came out of no where, i have never had any battery problems before. Could it be anything else? ive checked all doors and lights and everything to make sure nothing is draining the battery. This is just so new to me.

Any help would be re-assuring. Thanks guys

~Francis

 

If you have had this battery for years it could be just time for a new one, however do these simple things first and if your battery still acts up just replace it. Clean your battery terminals and clamps with sand paper or a wire brush. Unbolt the ground cable from the frame and tranny and sand those areas down so you are getting metal to metal contact. Reconnect and see how the car acts. If the battery dies go get it and your alternator checked at a car parts store.

 

I will do those things definately before work. But i think i have only had this battery for about a year. Is that normal? I've seen a lot of batteries die, but none like this.
Thanks for the tips!

 

That doesn't sounds very normal for a one year old battery. Maybe your alternator isn't charging it?

 

Or the alternator is killing it. Bad alternator can easily kill the battery, a starter that is starting to fail can also decimate the battery.

 

My alternator can't be bad though, otherwise my card wouldn't stay on right? So are you suggesting that something may have gotten disconnected from the alternator to the battery? Haven't thought of that, im going to clean my stuff and if it dont work im going to get a new battery. If that doesnt work, you will be hearing from me. hahah

 

If the altenator goes bad, the BRAKE & ALT lights in the dash should be illuminated. Regardless of what the lights are doing, get a voltmeter and check the voltage across the battery when the car is running. If the altenator is good the voltage should read around 14.5 volts.

You could also take the battery to almost any auto parts store and they will test it for you for free. It does not have to be in the car for this.

 

How many times have you an the battery dead leaving the lights or stereo on? A lead acid battery is only good for 3 maybe 4 kills. after that It won't hold a charge.

 

This was the first 2 times ever that ive had to jump my car with this battery.

I just got a new starter last summer, but i will test the alternator

Even if the battery isnt charging it will still read 14.5 volts?

 

At the battery while the car is running the DVM should read about 14 volts. If it is less than 13.5 while running there is a problem with your alternator or the wiring between the alternator and your battery. The battery should read slightly above 12 volts with the car turned off. any auto parts store will check and recharge your battery for free btw.

 

The last starter in my dad's car lasted only a year. (97 max)
So, I'd still test it.

 

Got everything tested and looks good. Changed my battery and everything works fine.

Another thing, my car turned off at the light right before the auto store that i was going to pick up my battery, what caused that?

I know my battery was more than dead, but i tested my alternator and its fine. That just didnt make sense to me.

 

Happened to me a couple of years back.....went to pump gas and car would not start at all....despite jumping and letting charge while hooked up to the other car......went and got a new battery as last resort and changed it at the pump....started right up.....

Later was told that when a battery completely goes dead and can no longer hold a charge...you cannot even jump the car whilst it attached to the dead battery it still will not start!!!

 

Good to know for future reference!! Thanks

 

Don't mention it!

 

Definitely right on here. If the battery is really weak, you won't be able to start it even with a jump. The smallest of accessories (dome lights etc) won't work either. Buy a meter and throw it in the trunk. The next time you get stuck you can make a quick diagnosis on what you're dealing with.