Starting after winter.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Montreal quebec
Starting after winter.
I love cars but my mechanic abilities are about a 10 on a scale of 100.
My car was all winter in my heated garage. I tried to start it but the battery is completely dead...
I boosted it this morning with a powerpack. The car started quite fast... I was able to back it up in the driveway and let it run a bit. (1-2 minutes)
But when I got back in it, I pressed on the brakes the car stopped.
Tried to start it again with the powerpack but the engine almost doesn't turn. I think the powerpack needs charging again.
Just want to know if having no power from the battery, is it normal that when pressing on the brake, the engine stops. Or is it a mechanical problem.
In the garage, it took a few tries before I was able to press on the brake without the engine almost stopping.
Also... is it easy to change the battery? I know I have to take the side of the car with the louvers off.
Any other advices on what to do when starting a car again after 6 months?
My car was all winter in my heated garage. I tried to start it but the battery is completely dead...
I boosted it this morning with a powerpack. The car started quite fast... I was able to back it up in the driveway and let it run a bit. (1-2 minutes)
But when I got back in it, I pressed on the brakes the car stopped.
Tried to start it again with the powerpack but the engine almost doesn't turn. I think the powerpack needs charging again.
Just want to know if having no power from the battery, is it normal that when pressing on the brake, the engine stops. Or is it a mechanical problem.
In the garage, it took a few tries before I was able to press on the brake without the engine almost stopping.
Also... is it easy to change the battery? I know I have to take the side of the car with the louvers off.
Any other advices on what to do when starting a car again after 6 months?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Yes you can charge the battery while it is still in the car with any suitable charger . You do not need to remove the battery or the side gill to do so.
The problem is that the electronics in C4's can result in a small current draw and a slight charge loss during storage. You should keep a battery float charger on the car the whole winter...
You can spend anywhere from $7 (Harbor Freight) to $70 (auto specialty shops) for a float charger. The float charger is the 21st century version of a trickle charger with a microchip that allows only enought current to match the actually battery drain thus keeping your battery fully charged.
Borrow a fast charger or buy one ( Walmart, Kmart, Sam's club. COSTCO to charge your batery.
I would then drive to the nearest Autozone for a free charging system inspection... They do this is 5 minutes curbside while your car is running.
The issue is that deeply discharged batteries can build up a sulphide deposit on the lead plates, making them more difficult/ impossible to charge and handle the starting load.
IF your battery is heavily sulphated, it is toast and must be replaced.
IF the battery needs replacement go with a gel or spiral cell technology. They are twice to price ( or more) but are much less prone to leaking... yor computer is located under the battery and battery acid will kill the computer. This replacement is a lot more expensive than the most expensive battery.
The $7.49 Harbor Freight www.harborfreight the decsription of the battery float charger is pasted below
identiifed below would have kept your battery top up and ready ot go... aviding the furstration you now feel and avoiding hte cost of the fast charger ($35-70) and the possibile replacement of your batttery ($50 - 150)
AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER
Skip the aggravation of a jump-start by keeping your vehicle's battery fully charged. Use on 12V batteries while in storage or during cold weather. The floating circuit maintains a full charge without overcharging. Includes automatic safety shut off.
Leads: 10 ft. overall length
ITEM 42292-1VGA
$7.49
The problem is that the electronics in C4's can result in a small current draw and a slight charge loss during storage. You should keep a battery float charger on the car the whole winter...
You can spend anywhere from $7 (Harbor Freight) to $70 (auto specialty shops) for a float charger. The float charger is the 21st century version of a trickle charger with a microchip that allows only enought current to match the actually battery drain thus keeping your battery fully charged.
Borrow a fast charger or buy one ( Walmart, Kmart, Sam's club. COSTCO to charge your batery.
I would then drive to the nearest Autozone for a free charging system inspection... They do this is 5 minutes curbside while your car is running.
The issue is that deeply discharged batteries can build up a sulphide deposit on the lead plates, making them more difficult/ impossible to charge and handle the starting load.
IF your battery is heavily sulphated, it is toast and must be replaced.
IF the battery needs replacement go with a gel or spiral cell technology. They are twice to price ( or more) but are much less prone to leaking... yor computer is located under the battery and battery acid will kill the computer. This replacement is a lot more expensive than the most expensive battery.
The $7.49 Harbor Freight www.harborfreight the decsription of the battery float charger is pasted below
identiifed below would have kept your battery top up and ready ot go... aviding the furstration you now feel and avoiding hte cost of the fast charger ($35-70) and the possibile replacement of your batttery ($50 - 150)
AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER
Skip the aggravation of a jump-start by keeping your vehicle's battery fully charged. Use on 12V batteries while in storage or during cold weather. The floating circuit maintains a full charge without overcharging. Includes automatic safety shut off.
Leads: 10 ft. overall length
ITEM 42292-1VGA
$7.49
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Montreal quebec
So if my battery is completely dead. Is it possible that just by pressing the brakes, the engine stops running?
