Battery going dead often...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Battery going dead often...
Recently when parking my car for the night after driving it, the battery seems to not hold enough charge to start it the next day. Even sitting for 2-3 hours after driving it will not start, and I am constantly jump starting it. Would this be an alternator problem or simply require a new battery? What tests can I do here myself to see which is bad? Thanks in advance...can't bear not to drive her for much longer :smash:
-Pete
-Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
Re: Battery going dead often... (Pete99SS)
If the alternator is charging (13.5-14v on the DIC) when the car is running its most likely the battery. Unless something (alarm, streo equipment etc) is draining it overnight....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 2
Re: Battery going dead often... (Pete99SS)
Original battery? My car was doing the same thing recently. Tried to remove the battery and the positive terminal came out. 
[Modified by pewt2k, 6:24 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by pewt2k, 7:21 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by pewt2k, 6:24 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by pewt2k, 7:21 PM 12/3/2002]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Re: Battery going dead often... (pewt2k)
I don't have any aftermarket stereo or alarm equipment in the car, and the battery is original. 30,000 miles on the car. When I jump it and it is running, the voltage on the DIC will slowly drop from around 13.2 to 12.9-12.8 or so. Things seem to run fine while driving, and if I go to start it back up recently after shutting off it will start (sometimes reluctantly.) Still not sure what to think on this one, thanks for the help.
-Pete
-Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,335
Likes: 979
From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: Battery going dead often... (Pete99SS)
The fact you're seeing less than 13.5 volts on the voltmeter may mean that there's something wrong with the charging circuit. However, since your battery is old, I'd suggest you take it somewhere where they can test the battery to see if it will hold a charge. I think most Sears stores can do this for you.
If the battery is less than a couple years old, then I think you have a charging problem. If the battery is 4 or more years old, it's probably just the battery.
If the battery is less than a couple years old, then I think you have a charging problem. If the battery is 4 or more years old, it's probably just the battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
Re: Battery going dead often... (Duck916)
The fact you're seeing less than 13.5 volts on the voltmeter may mean that there's something wrong with the charging circuit. However, since your battery is old, I'd suggest you take it somewhere where they can test the battery to see if it will hold a charge. I think most Sears stores can do this for you.
If the battery is less than a couple years old, then I think you have a charging problem. If the battery is 4 or more years old, it's probably just the battery.
If the battery is less than a couple years old, then I think you have a charging problem. If the battery is 4 or more years old, it's probably just the battery.
If the battery is bad its possible to load down the charging system. Most advance auto parts will load test your battery as well and check the charging system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Battery going dead often... (Pete99SS)
After your battery has run down, just jumping it and driving around for a while will not charge it enough to have enough charge to restart after a while sitting.
Often when a Battery has been drained it will not hold a charge any more.
You need to do one of several things (if it's only the battery that's the problem).
The most expediant would be to test the battery(or get it tested) to see if it's OK. Then fully charge it.
Or, put a charger on it to bring it up to full charge and see if that cures the problem. If after charging it up you still experience a dead battery right away, you need a new one. :cheers:
Often when a Battery has been drained it will not hold a charge any more.
You need to do one of several things (if it's only the battery that's the problem).
The most expediant would be to test the battery(or get it tested) to see if it's OK. Then fully charge it.
Or, put a charger on it to bring it up to full charge and see if that cures the problem. If after charging it up you still experience a dead battery right away, you need a new one. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Laguna Niguel CA
Re: Battery going dead often... (wwashing)
I just had similar problem today, and my battery is less than 2 years old w 36k miles :cuss. I took it to the dealer and they determined it was Alternator & Battery with load testing. Thank god I bought GMPP last month, already paid for half the premium and I've got 40,000 miles and 36 months to go. :yesnod:
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