Have an 1988 Olds that was down for repairs for a while. During this time someone left the door partially open so of course the battery died. No problem, we took it to the shop and the stuck it on a slow charger overnight. Brought back the battery yesterday hooked it up and the car started perfectly ran it for about 5 minutes and then shut it off.
Today went out hit the door locks with no problem, put the key in the ignition and got the indicator noises tried to start the car and click. Nothing else just one click and now it's dead again. Any clue what would cause it to drain that quickly overnight? No lights were on and like I said everything seemed to be fine until I tried to start.
2006-08-09 06:41:07 · 9 answers · asked by westix 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I guess I should add this bit of info in. This battery was bought in November of last year.
2006-08-09 06:51:27 · update #1
Possibility 1: Your battery might be old and letting it completely discharge killed it. In this case, you would need a new battery.
Possibility 2: Your alternator is shot. When your car runs, it is running off of the battery for it's electrical needs. After you charged it, you ran the car for about five minutes. That might have been draining your battery. Then when you tried to start it again, there wasn't enough cranking amps to start the car.
First, check the battery. If you bring it into a battery shop, like Sears, they can check to see if your battery is still good. If it isn't, replace it. If it is, the next likely suspect would be the alternator.
2006-08-09 06:51:46 · answer #1 · answered by Sebring Sage 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes when an old battery goes down they will either take a partial charge, or, no charge at all. That is why they sell new batteries. I suggest go buy a new battery and solve your problems.
First, let's see if it has a direct short which might be running the battery down. Raise the hood and take the positive cable off of the post. Then, replace it looking carefully for a spark. You might do this several times to make sure you don't/do see a spark. If you see a spark then your car has contracted a direct short. You can keep the battery from running down at night by taking the cable off the post at night and putting it back on the next morning. This will do fine until you can locate the short and get it fixed. If it doesn't spark, I would take it to Autozone or someplace like that and get them to check the battery. If the battery is good, you might want to have the alternator checked. It is supposed to be charging at no less than 13 amps,idling. You should find a fix somewhere here. Have a good day.
2006-08-09 06:49:24 · answer #2 · answered by cwsmith 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When a battery goes dead you can sometimes jump start it, allow it to run, and the alternator will charge it up. You also have the option of hooking up a regular battery charger that plugs into a wall outlet. It might work, but the best way to tell is to do it. If you charge it for an hour or two, shut it off, and it still doesn't start..... then you need to shop for a battery.
2016-03-27 05:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often when a battery gets drained down to nothing, it's harder for it to hold a charge. Your battery might also be old and that could compound the problem. Generally after five years or so, a battery won't be able to hold as much of a charge.
Either way, it's probably time for you to get a new battery.
2006-08-09 06:49:28 · answer #4 · answered by Kurt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a lot of knowledgeable answers, and they all give you pretty good direction.
BUT one other possibility here---Check one more time the connection at the terminals of the battery.
If they are still the original side-post style, if the mating surfaces are not pristine, they may fail a load, and then fail even the light load of instruments and buzzers.
If they have been converted to the top-post, OR have repair bolt-on ends, your failure could be in the connection between the wire and the replacement terminal.
Corrosion is a very good insulator, and in these circumstances it is not always easy to see.
2006-08-09 07:21:17 · answer #5 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sebring is on the right path. additionally, I would suggest that when you purchase a new battery, buy it from wal mart (yech). I say this because thier battery stock is constantly being rotated by purchases...other places that don't sell as many batteries have the batteries sitting on the shelves for a long time...and you buy a new, bad battery. Had this happen to 2 batteries i purchased.
2006-08-09 07:07:25 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to your local auto zone and have them test the alternator. if the alt is malfunctioning, then it will not recharge the battery. It also will not keep the car running. Auto Zone doesn't charge anything to test the alternator. You can even have them test the battery, too. good luck!
2006-08-09 11:20:13 · answer #7 · answered by glendonite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have a shorted cell causing the battery to drain
You must have it tested...
You might want to get another one..
By the Way
Did you buy this battery at WalMart,,,?
if you did
hahahahahaah
2006-08-09 07:11:06 · answer #8 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if i was you id take the battery to auto zone theyll check it for free and tell you if you need a new one or not .if it s not the battery then its your alternator.and auto zone will check that also for free.........good luck.......lonewolf
2006-08-09 07:11:08 · answer #9 · answered by lonewolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋