Battery concerns
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,461
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From: East Windsor NJ
Battery concerns
I keep my battery on a tender while not in use it Is a die hard AGM. Today I went to charge it and just a click. The fuel pump, DIC, and underhood light all came on. I jumped it - ran it for about 15 minutes - made a quick stop - at restart I had a click but then it started on the second try.
I am on a 2h drive down to Atlantic City - what should battery volts read under normal circumstances? At the moment I’m getting 13.7 to 13.8 - should I get a new battery while I am on the road?
I am on a 2h drive down to Atlantic City - what should battery volts read under normal circumstances? At the moment I’m getting 13.7 to 13.8 - should I get a new battery while I am on the road?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
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Sounds more like a potential starter issue to me. Voltage looks good. The "easy" guess/fix used to always be try a new battery first, but with how expensive batteries are now, not so much. For the cost of a new battery nowadays, you could pay the "diagnosis" fee at a shop which will usually also go towards the repair cost. I'm guessing starter issue, but maybe someone can chime in with "common issue" knowledge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
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Glad it's looking good so far, that would have sucked to ruin your trip. FWIW my voltage is always between 13.3-13.8 max while driving depending on what the fans are doing, so if you're seeing 14, I wouldn't be worried about the battery haha.
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Could be starter. I've seen/heard that click followed by nothing before. Check your starter connections. If any of them are remotely loose, you could get the click.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 644
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From: O'Fallon MO
I keep my battery on a tender while not in use it Is a die hard AGM. Today I went to charge it and just a click. The fuel pump, DIC, and underhood light all came on. I jumped it - ran it for about 15 minutes - made a quick stop - at restart I had a click but then it started on the second try.
I am on a 2h drive down to Atlantic City - what should battery volts read under normal circumstances? At the moment I’m getting 13.7 to 13.8 - should I get a new battery while I am on the road?
I am on a 2h drive down to Atlantic City - what should battery volts read under normal circumstances? At the moment I’m getting 13.7 to 13.8 - should I get a new battery while I am on the road?
Mike
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Prescott, Arizona
The start attempt with a click, then OK start on second try would point toward a failing starter solenoid or a failing ignition switch among others. The 14 volts en route sounds OK although voltage at the battery terminals may not be the same as DIC voltage
In my view, a bad battery usually won't provide an OK start on a re try. A loose or insufficiently tight battery side connection (FSM: 11 foot pounds) as well as corroded grounds can also present this symptom
One way to isolate would be, if a click, no start occurs, clonk the starter from above with a long insulated rod or dowel. Past pasts posts have indicated that this may allow the starter solenoid to make contact and allow a start. But not for very many more times before total failure.
In my view, a bad battery usually won't provide an OK start on a re try. A loose or insufficiently tight battery side connection (FSM: 11 foot pounds) as well as corroded grounds can also present this symptom
One way to isolate would be, if a click, no start occurs, clonk the starter from above with a long insulated rod or dowel. Past pasts posts have indicated that this may allow the starter solenoid to make contact and allow a start. But not for very many more times before total failure.