So I got in my car after I was done with a new years eve party and my car wont start. So after jumpstarting it, I go home. As soon as I turn off the car, it completely dies. Usually my seat will automatically go back, steering will go up, and everything is fine. But NO, as soon as I turn the key off, the power is completely gone. So do I need a new battery, or is my alternator bad? I know its one or the other, and I am pretty sure that its my battery that wont hold power anymore. what do you guys think??

 

sounds like the battery to me...

i just had mine do the same thing not 2 weeks ago....driving it every day took its toll on it, i guess...it was the OEM battery, and the car just turned over 20k, so no wonder...

ended up replacing it with a CarQuest next-gen yellow-top (warning though: terminals were improperly placed, i had to pull the tray and reroute everything)

if your alternator was going, i'd assume you'd at least get a battery light on your dash...

 

If it was the alternator the car would not run. You can jump it but It would die in a lil bit.

 

Yea I think its the battery too guys. I mean, there is NO battery light that comes up on the dash, and the car runs fine after it is already started. If the alternator was faulty, the car shouldnt run after its started. What does everyone else think?

 

definately the battery.

 

It's the battery, what type of driving do you do, lots of short trips with no long highway runs will shorten the life of the battery, I wonder about my battery I drive the highway to work but I've been doing appointments lately and the turning on and off or the car 20 something times a day may be effecting it but then the 75mph drive home may really help recharge it

 

Yep, sounds like the battery to me too. Mine died not too long ago (I made a thread about it when it did) and my car wouldn't turn over at all... the interior lights were very dim, etc. After replacing the battery, it is running just fine.

I say replace that OEM battery and you should be fine.

 

well.. i'll check the alternator as well tho.. I have my battery changed las summer because of the same thing.. but now its started again.. the mechanice said last summer that my alternator is going or about to go dead.. I let it ride till now... I guess its time for me to get a new battery..... know any good ones out there....

 

If you can get it jumped again, go to Autozone or Advance Auto and have them hook your battery up to a tester. They do this for free. The test will show whether you have a bad battery or a bad alternator.

Have the test done before you buy anything. You don't want to make an expensive mistake by buying the wrong part.

 

definately the battery. Happened to me couple weeks ago went and got a yellow top battery took care of the problem.

 

I would check the alternator once you get a new battery. It happened to me a month ago. When i got a new battery i took the car to advance auto parts and they checked the alternator and they said it was still working but it was on its way out. Thats what killed the battery. Then i took it to my mechanic and he checked it and said the same thing.

 

well guys it was my battery, got it replaced today. They said my alternator was fine. Thanks for the help

 

My OEM battery lasted for about 1.5 years, I took it to the dealer and they were going to give me some waranty money toward a replacement, but I told them to keep it, I like a battery to last a little longer than the new car smell inside the vehicle. Got an Everstart Maxx, very happy w/ it.