forg0tmypen

My car is having a battery issue. I have a year old AC Delco stock battery. Problem is, it only fires the motor about 3 times before it "dies" and then you cant start the car anymore. If I drive somewhere and get out, that 1 time. Get back in to start the car thats 2 times, if I stop for gas and get back in, thats 3 times. If I need to stop again, the car wont fire up again. Each time I should mention, when I start the car, the battery fires weaker and weaker. Starter is new, battery is like new and tested fine at Autozone reading 675CCA. Went to start the car right after and...wouldnt start. A little puzzled. Car is at the shop today getting looked over.

crAzy

Alternator might be bad. You test that? Also sounds to me it is because if the alternator doesn't put out power. Your car is going to be running off your battery. All the battery is there for is to start the car. Once started the alternator powers everything and also charges the battery.

croatbob

Disconnect the battery while the cars running. If the car dies the alternator isn't supplying enough juice to keep the car running

2StrikeHtr

I agree, sounds like alternator. Had same prob w/different car. Check connections
before pitching alternator.

sky1

Back in the old days you could test the alt by disconnecting the battery. Would not recommend that with newier cars. With all the electrics and computers you could get a surge and cause more problems. Autozone can check your alt the right way with the proper equipment.

Bill Dearborn

Check the battery connection on the starter.

Bill

forg0tmypen

Alternator is new. I can test it though. Thanks guys. My tuner is thinking the starter is the issue but that is also new. He checked everything around the starter all connections are good. It's either the battery itself or the starter

2StrikeHtr

Yep, no such thing as a small electrical problem - hang in there. Bad ground somewhere else ? Something draining ... didn't leave on a courtesy light ( I've done it ). Just thinking out loud here -

SUPERCRUZ

SUPERCRUZ

Not knocking your answer and maybe you know something I do not. I am not so sure this is sound advice. Never, never disconnect a battery with the car running or you run the risk of blowing a diode in the alternator.

What happened to simply taking a multimeter and testing voltage at the battery. Car not running with meter hooked to pos and neg battery terminals should read 12V. Start the car and perform same test should read ~14.2V at the battery. Sorry if I am missing something here. I am sure others will chime in.

JwT

I would have to agree. I don't like seeing a battery show less than 12.6 volts. To me when they go below that the bat is usually the culprit. I have never had good luck with an AC Delco battery, others love them.

erikszr1

um yea.....DONT do that.....ever. use the proper testing equipment.

KM1959

I had something similar, it turned out to be a loose battery cable. Those clamps are a little strange, they feel like they are tightening but apparently they weren't.

clogan

I had same thing happen on a car I had years ago. Starter would heat up while being driven, and expand just a hair, dragging and finally seizing inside its case. I changed out the starter, and all was good.

forg0tmypen

This is what we have come to the conclusion of. Its the starter. All grounds are good, wires are good, battery is good, etc. Ill keep everyone posted.

forg0tmypen

Wasn't the starter apparently. Got a new battery to put in this Sat. Fingers crossed.

[Cerberus]

I had a problem like this with a new braille battery on my 350z (tuner shop recommended and bought). The battery was new and the voltage always looked good but it was toast on the inside. After I got stranded downtown and had to call a friend to jump my car I just went out and bought a Die hard platinum. 5 year free replacement warranty is hard to beat.

Braille was supposed to be this high end battery, but they don't warranty past a year. After that you are on your own.

JWingo

This can be determined with a few basic voltage and amperage measurements.

One thing I have learned is regarding the load test at Auto-Zone.

The battery should be subject to load a min of 3 times.

I've observed Batteries to pass Load Test once or twice. In many cases, the third showed the drop of the Battery when load was applied.

Not saying it is or it is not the Battery. Test static voltage, test dynamic voltage, test charge voltage at the Battery and compare to the source.

If the car is being difficult to start, test for 3 starts. Record all 3 voltages.

If you have an inductive amp meter, record the amps also.

These test will tell you if the "Hard to start" condition is from a Battery without sufficient charge/recharge potential or from an increase in cranking load.