Symptoms of a dead car battery?

Question

98 Chevy Malibu, starts with a jump but no dash lights and it dies within abot 10 min of jump, even while running down the road.

Help is GREATLY appreciated.

Answer 1

What you are describing is almost a textbook example of a bad alternator. The car is running off the battery only because the alternator's not charging it...and when the battery discharges and the volts fall below a certain level, the car dies.

Take the car to your local Auto Zone or similar place; they have a machine that they can hook the car to that will test the starting/charging system. I think you'll find that the alternator is bad. IF you are a do-it-yourselfer, then they can sell you a new alternator...otherwise any good mechanic can do it.

You might want to check the battery also, to see if it has been weakened or damaged by the strain of the repeated jumpstarting, etc...it appears to be weak from what you've said. A new one might be in order as well.

Hope this helped.

Answer 2

Flat Car Battery Symptoms

Answer 3

Make sure battery posts are clean. Sometimes you can wiggle the post and if it's really loose that is a problem. Ask a friend to swap out their battery long enough to see what happens. Best bet is to find a place that can run a diagnostic on your electrical system. The battery is probably the least expensive, alternators and other parts are pretty expensive.

Answer 4

Sounds like a bad alternator, if it was the battery, everything would work fine after you got the car started.
The alternator is designed to supply the electrical needs of the car when the engine is running plus have enough left over to charge the battery.
The battery is designed to provide enough power to allow your car to start, plus some reserve in case you have any problems starting.
When you jump start the car, you are charging your battery from the jumping car until you get your car started and drop the cables. In your case, it sounds like your running the car off this reserve charge until it drops enough to cause your car to stall.

Answer 5

the car doesn't start.

If it dies while running, it sounds like an alternator problem. If the alternator is going, it won't be able to recharge the battery while running, and therefore, it will die.

You also may want to check the wiring to make sure that all wires from the alternator to the battery are properly and fully connected.

While the car is running, the alternator SHOULD be recharging the battery. This obviously isn't happening.

Answer 6

It appears that you have two problems, first is that the vehicle battery is not holding a charge. Battery should be about 12.6 volts DC prior to cranking. Second issue is that the charging system(alternator/voltage regulator) is not working properly. Vehicle should be able to run without a battery after it starts. Fix one problem then tackle the next. I would start with replacing the battery. Then after you are able to start the vehicle without a jump, check the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter, should be between 13.6 to 14.7 Volts DC. Most auto parts stores offer alternator testing. Good Luck!

Answer 7

How old is the Battery? Have you checked the water level in it? Chances are, that your battery is going dead if it is having to crank over sluggishly a few extra times...if you have to get a jump constantly....better get a new alternator. You can arc the negative and positive on your battery also... but be careful!

Answer 8

I agree with scorpe1297, after you get the engine running, you could completely unhook the battery and still drive the car. Have the battery and alternator checked. My thinking is bad alternator or voltage regulator.

Answer 9

We knew my mom's car battery was dead when the electric locks would not work.

Answer 10

battery could be bad or the alternator could be bad. Take the battery to an auto parts store and have them test it.