excuse my ignorance. 
Completely dead!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 17
From: Dubai
Completely dead!!
went on a 2 weeks trip, when I came back I tried to start my 1991 Auto it was completely dead nothing works or lights up on dash!! (I had a new battery installed last month)
i jumped started it ... it started.. turned it off and tried again it didn’t start (couldn’t keep the charge) .. did the jump start again for few minutes it started....
any idea what could be the problem .. alternator?
Appreciate the feedback
TIA
i jumped started it ... it started.. turned it off and tried again it didn’t start (couldn’t keep the charge) .. did the jump start again for few minutes it started....
any idea what could be the problem .. alternator?
Appreciate the feedback
TIA
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
If the battery is completely dead, it's going to take a little while for the car to get a charge on it. How long did you let the car run after jumping it? It's going to need a good 15-20 minutes to get a charge on the battery, and that will be far from fully charged, but should be enough to start the car without a jump.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 591
From: New Port Richey FL
went on a 2 weeks trip, when I came back I tried to start my 1991 Auto it was completely dead nothing works or lights up on dash!! (I had a new battery installed last month)
i jumped started it ... it started.. turned it off and tried again it didn’t start (couldn’t keep the charge) .. did the jump start again for few minutes it started....
any idea what could be the problem .. alternator?
Appreciate the feedback
TIA
i jumped started it ... it started.. turned it off and tried again it didn’t start (couldn’t keep the charge) .. did the jump start again for few minutes it started....
any idea what could be the problem .. alternator?
Appreciate the feedback
TIA
When the Car is Running what does the Dash Volt Gauge Say or a Volt Meter @ Battery say. If all this are OK Pull battery and use the Warrantee.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 17
From: Dubai
If the battery is completely dead, it's going to take a little while for the car to get a charge on it. How long did you let the car run after jumping it? It's going to need a good 15-20 minutes to get a charge on the battery, and that will be far from fully charged, but should be enough to start the car without a jump.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 17
From: Dubai
Start with Getting out your 8mm or 5/16 wrench and give the Terminals a Snug up, if that Doesn't do it remove the Terminals make sure they are Clear of Heavy Corrosion.
When the Car is Running what does the Dash Volt Gauge Say or a Volt Meter @ Battery say. If all this are OK Pull battery and use the Warrantee.
When the Car is Running what does the Dash Volt Gauge Say or a Volt Meter @ Battery say. If all this are OK Pull battery and use the Warrantee.
ill check the gauges. And I really need to get a voltmeter. Thx 👍🏻
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 17
From: Dubai
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
you can check the alternator simply by starting the car and disconnecting the battery. If the alternator is working, the car will continue to run.
parasitic draw is when you have the car completely shut down, but there is power being drawn from the battery, which causes the battery to go dead in a few days
parasitic draw is when you have the car completely shut down, but there is power being drawn from the battery, which causes the battery to go dead in a few days
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 553
From: Glenbeulah Wi
FYI the volt readings with a functioning alternator should be around 13.5 to 14.5. If it is not functioning it will be 12 or lower.
Last edited by bjankuski; Feb 4, 2018 at 08:28 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
These last two quotes should be in CAPITAL LETTERS!
Is there a possibility that something was left on, which caused your battery to go dead?
Also, a dead battery should be charged by using a battery charger, not by running your engine. The alternator is designed to keep a good battery charged, not to continuously put out enough current to charge a dead battery. This practice will shorten the life of your alternator.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 17
From: Dubai
Actually I know about not to disconnect the Battery while running, but wasn’t sure... now I am... thanks all really appreciate it... love this forum!!actually I have a JBL amplifier system ... I was suspecting that but I installed a kill switch to switch it off when not using it.
Other than that I don’t think I had anything on when I left it for a couple of weeks. I tried this morning also it is totally dead nothing work not a single light on dash board not even the center lock ..!! And I don’t want to jump start it.. worried might damage somthing..
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,422
Likes: 3,275
From: Hartford WI
Take the battery out and charge the hell out of it overnight on a slow charger and have it tested. Take the alternator out to a rebuild shop and have them disassemble and test it. I have had places like Autozone or NAPA, etc, etc test the alternator to say it is good and the disassembly says "NOPE".
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Actually I know about not to disconnect the Battery while running, but wasn’t sure... now I am... thanks all really appreciate it... love this forum!!actually I have a JBL amplifier system ... I was suspecting that but I installed a kill switch to switch it off when not using it.
Other than that I don’t think I had anything on when I left it for a couple of weeks. I tried this morning also it is totally dead nothing work not a single light on dash board not even the center lock ..!! And I don’t want to jump start it.. worried might damage somthing..
Charge the battery and have it tested, if it fails then replace it, if it passes then your going to have to investigate the parasitic draw situation, which requires an ammeter, and a draw test switch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
Like this? Do not EVER do this!!!
A DVOM is essential for work on any new car. I don't rely on the dash for voltage, even IF it means climbing in/out of the car! Reading voltage at the battery will tell you the alternator's output, which should be above 13.2vdc, even with a fully charged battery. Be careful with older chargers as >16vdc can harm electronics.
Realize that totally a dead battery has probably permanently lost some power, maybe 30-50%.
When you buy the DVOM (digital volt-ohm-meter) procure a quality charger. I have a few, but the best is my cTek 7000 series, which can, in some cases, revive dead batteries. My success with that is low, but not zero.
First things and simple things first. Tracing a possible current drain is not the start point, but if you end up on that path, any aftermarket adds are prime suspects.
A DVOM is essential for work on any new car. I don't rely on the dash for voltage, even IF it means climbing in/out of the car!
Reading voltage at the battery will tell you the alternator's output, which should be above 13.2vdc, even with a fully charged battery. Be careful with older chargers as >16vdc can harm electronics.Realize that totally a dead battery has probably permanently lost some power, maybe 30-50%.
When you buy the DVOM (digital volt-ohm-meter) procure a quality charger. I have a few, but the best is my cTek 7000 series, which can, in some cases, revive dead batteries. My success with that is low, but not zero.
First things and simple things first. Tracing a possible current drain is not the start point, but if you end up on that path, any aftermarket adds are prime suspects.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,422
Likes: 3,275
From: Hartford WI
A DVOM is essential for work on any new car. I don't rely on the dash for voltage, even IF it means climbing in/out of the car! Reading voltage at the battery will tell you the alternator's output, which should be above 13.2vdc, even with a fully charged battery. Be careful with older chargers as >16vdc can harm electronics.
Realize that totally a dead battery has probably permanently lost some power, maybe 30-50%.
When you buy the DVOM (digital volt-ohm-meter) procure a quality charger. I have a few, but the best is my cTek 7000 series, which can, in some cases, revive dead batteries. My success with that is low, but not zero.
First things and simple things first. Tracing a possible current drain is not the start point, but if you end up on that path, any aftermarket adds are prime suspects.
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Reading voltage at the battery will tell you the alternator's output, which should be above 13.2vdc, even with a fully charged battery. Be careful with older chargers as >16vdc can harm electronics.Realize that totally a dead battery has probably permanently lost some power, maybe 30-50%.
When you buy the DVOM (digital volt-ohm-meter) procure a quality charger. I have a few, but the best is my cTek 7000 series, which can, in some cases, revive dead batteries. My success with that is low, but not zero.
First things and simple things first. Tracing a possible current drain is not the start point, but if you end up on that path, any aftermarket adds are prime suspects.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]
I think the first thing we need to establish is whether the alternator and battery are good before we start looking for a parasitic drain since he thinks it could be the stereo.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Easy way to figure out if you have a parasitic draw:
1-Turn the car completely off and remove the keys. Make sure all lights etc are off-you want to get everything electrical turned off on the car.
2-disconnect the negative batter terminal
3-use a voltmeter to measure current between the negative battery terminal and the battery.
You will see SOME current there-the ECM will draw some power as well as a few other odds and ends around the car. but it should be a VERY small amount. If you see any significant current draw then you have a parasitic drain.
Of course, don't do this until you've completely charged the battery. My first guess is a dead battery, especially if it's been cold where you are (it certainly has here).
1-Turn the car completely off and remove the keys. Make sure all lights etc are off-you want to get everything electrical turned off on the car.
2-disconnect the negative batter terminal
3-use a voltmeter to measure current between the negative battery terminal and the battery.
You will see SOME current there-the ECM will draw some power as well as a few other odds and ends around the car. but it should be a VERY small amount. If you see any significant current draw then you have a parasitic drain.
Of course, don't do this until you've completely charged the battery. My first guess is a dead battery, especially if it's been cold where you are (it certainly has here).
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
If your meter cannot automatically switch from hi amp to lo amp, and you set your meter on the lo amp scale, you'll blow the internal fuse in the meter when you use Bfenty's procedure.
There is a way to do this, but it's a bit more complex, and I haven't found a YouTube video that does it right.
