Is it o.k. to drive my car with my battery disconnected?

Question

Something is wrong with the power from my alternator to my battery. My alternator and battery test o.k./the battery is new.

My car broke down in the boonies and it's going to cost about $250 to get it towed to the shop because it's out of my auto clubs towing area.

When I start my car the voltage is 8 and then in about 10 minutes of driving the battery is drained. If I let it sit for about 30 minutes, it recharges and starts again and drives for 10 minutes until all of my lights and power go out.

If I start my car and disconnect the positive cable on my battery, my car runs normally and all the power gauges and voltages are normal. Would it hurt my car or be dangerous to drive it the 20 miles to the shop?

Thanks a lot!

The battery is new and it tested great.

Again, the battery is new and tested great, and the battery cables are new. thx

Answer 1

This sounds very much like the alternator is bad....you may also want to check your wire connections from the alternator, to make sure the connections are tight and secure.
The reason your car dies is because the ignition must have power to operate...if it is not getting it from the alternator, then it will get it from the battery, and once the battery has been drained, your car will die.
As far as driving it, you can try, its not going to hurt anything, but you probably are not going to get very far, becuase again your battery will drain. To test the alternator, put a 12 volt tester to it, and you should be reading 13.2 - 14.8 volts with the vehicle running, if you are getting below 13.2, it is not working properly.

Answer 2

I suspect the alternator is your problem, - not the battery! Take another battery along, disconnect the alrternator "power output" post, and unplug the wires to the "field and ground", - (and "readout for "idiot light") they should all be on the same "removeable plug". The engine will then run ok till it draws the ("power") voltage down enough that the car will start running poorly, then it will quit soon after! Remove the dead one, and put in extra one, if the same size battery, it should last about the same amount of miles! The secret here is to use as few accessories as possible to make the battery last as long as possible! If the headlights come on automaically when engine running, look for relays, - or fuses that will cut off the power to them! I you have a friend drive you to car, and stay with you coming back you shouldn't have to worry about getting stranded.

Somewhere near the end of time you had it "die" on the first one, you want to stop at a service station somewhere and have both batteries charged (if you are still a long ways from home). You could also stop at a "rest station" somewhere and put second car alongside of yours and hook up jumper cables to charge battery(or both). It will burn a little extra gas, but the battery will charge with the other car just idling. Check other car ocassionally to make sure it isn't overheating though, -if cooling fan not operating properly, after a while car will start getting pretty hot (air pushed through the radiator on road doesn't require fan to cool).

Of course the worst time to drive would have to be after dark, because the batery will run down about 3-4 times as fast!

Answer 3

Won't hurt anything to drive without battery.... you performed a good test in disconnecting the positive cable while running. Apparently the alternator was charging enough to keep the engine running (at idle, likely?) and at that particular time. I can guess that you need an alternator or regulator (probably inside the alternator on your car) because it is likely working at low voltage or intermittantly.

I'd say just drive it far enough to get it within range of your car club and then call them back out to get it for you.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

I would not run a car with out the battery in the charging system. Bad things can happen to your electrial system. If during the day no A/C no radio no lights might be your best bet still with the battery 10 miles at a time. Or call the shop sometimes they will have a tow company who works with them to get cars in. Year Make Model?

Answer 5

sure. locate a first rate motor vehicle hide to sheild the paint pastime from the elements, try no longer to park it in a feild with intense grass ( can rot the bottom ), and your sturdy to flow. also, i'd make certain earlier you shut the doors and lock it that the interior enviroment is clean ( darkish, damp, grimy=fungus/bacterial boost ) perchance even placed an air freshener in it. Disconnecting the battery isn't a foul theory, yet will be unnecessary- you would ought to grant the battery a leap/can charge regardless if its disconnected if the battery is weak/previous first of all. maximum folk ive considered that disconnect the battery flow for the pink/functional terminal, in spite of the indisputable fact that on your motor vehicle it would nicely be very problematic to get too. stay away from it if u can and make certain you may have someone on "standby" in case it needs a leap once you come ( having someone start up the motor vehicle for quarter-hour once a month will shop it charged nicely also )

Answer 6

No it won't hurt the car. Really sounds like you have a bad battery

Answer 7

Have you checked the battery cables? They may be corroded. And I would not recommend driving it with the battery disconnected.

Answer 8

if the battery and alternator are both in good cond, check that your earth is making good contact to the chassis, this is a common problem especally on older cars

Answer 9

If you can get it started ??? go for it

Answer 10

go for it! you'll save $$ if you make it...good luck