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i have a 1990 nissan maxima that will not start right now i let it sit for a week and now it wont even turn over there is a seven year battery in my car so i dont understand why the battery wouldnt be on its completely dead. not even the lights come on when i enter the car, nor the locks. could it be that i need a new altenator? or should i get another battery? I have already cleaned off my battery post because i had a lot of corosion on them, i thought that was the problem, but when i poured coke on them to clean it off it still would not start. What could be going on? Altenator or Battery?

2006-08-25 14:50:54 · 11 answers · asked by byrdman26 1 in Cars & Transportation Maintenance & Repairs

11 answers

The first thing to do is to clean the battery terminals properly. Pouring coke on the terminal is a quick fix for the buildup of corrosion, but it is not a complete terminal cleaning.

Disconnect the terminals on the battery, and use emery paper or a wire brush to clean the terminals, both on the battery and the cable. They should actually be shiny!

The next step is to charge the battery. If you do not have a battery charger, remove the battery and take it to be charged. When it is charged have it tested. A "seven year" battery can go bad well before the seven years. There is a pro-rated warranty that will pay part of the replacement cost!

If the battery tests ok, reinstall it and try to start the car. Most likely the car will now start. Take the car and have an alternator output test done, just to be sure the alternator is good!

I would guess that your problem is either a bad battery or bad terminal connections

2006-08-25 15:00:20 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1 1

seven year battery doesn't mean that the battery will last seven years. It could last 5 or it could last 10. Pouring coke on the terminals will not clean the crud that may be between the post and the cable terminal. Only removing the terminal and cleaning both the battery post and the inside of the terminal can guarantee a good contact. If the connections are corroded, it could be the reason why the alternator is not charging the battery. Start by cleaning the connections, then have someone give you a boost to get it started. Remove the booster cables. Run the engine with a little bit of accelerator (don't rev it up until it blows up). After 10 minutes or so, shut the engine down and see if the lights come on. If they do, then the alternator is charging the battery. If they don't, then either the battery or the alternator is kaput. In that case, remove the battery and take it to your friendly parts store for testing. If that doesn't help, ask again.

2006-08-25 21:57:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

To clean the posts you need to get a terminal cleaner and take the connectors off and scrub the connector and the posts. if this doesn't fix the problem, then you should get your car to an auto parts store (you will need a jump start)
and test the alt. and battery. if they are both good then the problem was the corosion preventing a charge. Once the battery gets charged it should be fine.


Hope this helps.

2006-08-25 21:58:50 · answer #3 · answered by dicanus1 2 · 0 0

what do u mean a 7 year battery do u mean a 7 yr prorated warranty? I have the perfect answer log onto NAPA.com and find a mechanic, stay away from the dealer and go to a mom and pop shop and get your car taken care of and maintenance regurally, when most shops chance oil and filter, they check out other issues without charging NAPA has good repritable shops. good luck

2006-08-25 21:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by teresa s 1 · 0 0

first clean your battery posts get it charge 2 amp charge over night then try it again if nothing you have a dead cell inthe battery ok if it does start you need to test you alt load test your battery if you get it started you could drive to your local auto parts store they can test your battery alt for free

2006-08-25 23:50:53 · answer #5 · answered by gobes691 1 · 0 0

charge the battery with a charger remove the battery termials and clean them . then the car will turn over

2006-08-25 21:59:56 · answer #6 · answered by k dog 4 · 0 0

Get it tested then you'll know for sure, otherwise it's guess work. A new battery never hurts, that's probably all it is anyway if it's old.

2006-08-25 22:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Coke does',nt work you have to use pepsi

Sounds like you need a new engine

2006-08-25 21:58:22 · answer #8 · answered by pellco 4 · 0 1

You need a new car.

2006-08-25 21:53:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

Get advice of a mechanic not us on yahoo!!!!

2006-08-25 21:52:49 · answer #10 · answered by Sammyleggs222 6 · 0 1

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