My car worked yesterday then today when I turned on the car I got the radio to start up like usual when I start the car, then it just quit and dies. I think it could be the battery cause I noticed a light was left on somehow. If I was to jump start it, and it worked, is that all I need to do, or do I need to drive it around for 2 hours...or do I have to take it in to be recharged? I would like to be able to go to work today in my own car instead of catching rides to and from, so if jump starting works I'd like to know if I could just use it then.
2006-07-24 06:52:21 · 10 answers · asked by pizzagirl 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Jump start it, and drive it a while.
It will be fine?
Yours: Grumpy
2006-07-24 06:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by Grumpy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jump start the car with a battery and let the car run for a minute hooked to the other battery, then disconnect the jumper cables (your car first, still running of course, then the donor car), then let your car run for at least 15 minutes to let the alternator charge the battery. When shutting your car off for the last time each day, make sure all lights are off, turn of your radio, heat/ac, and any auxiliary item you might have that draw power from the battery, including unplugging anything from the cigarette lighter outlet (except the cigarette lighter, of course, that doesn't do anything until it's pushed in).
If you continue to have this problem, your alternator may need replacing. Your alternator is what charges your battery when the car is running, you need your battery only to start the car. You may want to take your car to your nearest Autozone or similar style store, they usually will check a car battery for free to see if it's still holding sufficient charge to start your car. If you have a newer car, they can also run a diagnostic on the whole car, as you may have a problem else where.
Good luck!!
2006-07-24 07:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by sanguis_draco 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends why your battery was dead. If you left all the electrics on, but only did short journeys it could have just run down. In which case driving around for a couple of hours will charge it.
If it's not charging at all, then it could be the alternator, which will need replacing. If you are in the UK some of the cheap car accesorie shops will check this for you, on the off chance if you battery is dead, you will buy a new one from them. Batteries do wear out, so it may just be as simple as it no longer holds charge.
If it was me, I'd try to charge the battery, if that didn't work get them to check the alternator, after that I just call my husband/dad/brother/neighbour/rac, so I cannot help you. Good luck.
2006-07-24 07:00:28 · answer #3 · answered by Nneave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your battery is dying it won't start up again when you want to drive home. You may end up needing another jump. I would take the chance if you know there are people at work that would be willing to jump your car. It would be a good way to find out weither or not your car's battery is dead.
2006-07-24 06:57:17 · answer #4 · answered by Foo Foo Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A jump start and letting it run for half an hour might be all you need. Batteries slowly lose thier capacity over several years and sometimes this type of problem will push an old battery over the edge.. If your battery is older, you might want to have it 'load tested' to see how much capacity it has left.
2006-07-24 07:00:32 · answer #5 · answered by FreddyBoy1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a jump start. Ideally, you would want to run the car at least 20 minutes, and don't play your radio. If your battery isn't too old, and on its last legs it will be fine.
2006-07-24 07:00:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as there isn't a problem that is dragging the battery down, You should just jump it and let it run for 15 minutes of so.
2006-07-24 06:59:00 · answer #7 · answered by J.C.P. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your engine should fully charge the battery in a matter of minutes. It should be fine.
2006-07-24 07:00:33 · answer #8 · answered by Gearhead 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could just leave it running for 8 hours while you work...
2006-07-24 06:59:08 · answer #9 · answered by Demon of hand-writing analysis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jump it then take it to auto zone. they will recharge it for free.
2006-07-24 06:55:53 · answer #10 · answered by Rayne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋