Low Battery charge in cold weather?

Question

I bought a Nissan Altima 1999 and the battery of it was manufactured in Aug 2005. This winter during cold weather I could not start the car. I called the service and they came an boosted the battery and they said to me I need to run the car for at least 10-15 minutes and replace the battery even though it was not that old. Shortly I went and replaced the battery with a brand new one. I left the car parking for 3 consective days. When I tried to start it I could not and I think it is the battery again because the headlights are not operating when the are switched on and no sound when I press the horn. Now I am thinking of 2 scenarios, the first one is that the charging system is not fully functioning, the second scenario is that I am so unlucky that I replaced the older bad battery with a new bad battery too since it costed around $80 which is relatively cheap. How can I determine which one of the two scenarios is the real one?

Thank you all for the ideas.During the 3 days that I left my car parking it was extremly cold (below -20 C). Tonight I did a test to figure out is it a charging system or a battrery problem. I lit my head lights while the car is running and I turned the egine off while the head lights are still switched on, they lights got dimmer which means it is a battery problem. Cheap batteries are no good even if they are new.

Answer 1

Your problem can be one of two things. One, your alternator could be bad so it isn't charging the battery. Two, you are leaving something on in your car. Three, are you buying the proper sized battery for your car. They are sold by the Cold Cranking Amps. THe more the better!!

Answer 2

There are testers that can determine a batterys condition and most places do it for no charge. This business of I think I need a new whatever can be very expensive and the same old problem still exists. Without more info it would only be a guess but you probably have a draw from something somewhere. Try taking the negative battery terminal off when you park your car, that way you can prove one way or the other as to the possibility of a draw when shut off and you will know if the battery is the guilty culprit but I would very much doubt it.

Answer 3

Cold Weather is automotive batteries worst enemy.In 32 degree weather a battery only has 65 percent of its 100 percent cranking ability.Basically,the colder it gets the less effective your battery is.CCA(cold cranking amps)actually is the number of amps a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0 degrees.Make sure you buy a good battery with high cranking amps otherwise you are going to have problems starting in severe weather.Like some of the others mentioned,the problem could be your alternator not charging the battery.Autozone and Advance auto parts checks it out for free.Before you let them tell you that you have a bad alternator check your alternator drive belt tension.A loose slipping belt will run your vehicle down every time.

Answer 4

if its killing your battery after the car sits for a few days is a bad short in your system or like the other person whom answered said something is on. Now try this. This will tell you all. Take a power lead tester. The kind that you touch a poker to positive and one you clamp onto the negative terminal . Take the positive end off the battery, making sure the battery has juice to do this test. Put the ground end clamp to the battery terminal and the other positive end of the tester to the removed terminal clamp. Now your light should be on at the tester handle then you have an open circuit. Next go to your fuse panel and remove one fuse at a time till the lights go out. Keeping track which function the fuse does. You might have to refer to your owners manual to determine that. That should tell you all you need to know. Takes perhaps 10 minutes with two people.

Answer 5

Cold weather effects the battery. How old the battery is matters as well. However, a new battery without enough cold cranking amps will not start a vehicle either. I suggest going to an automotive store and having them test your battery, it is usually free. Then ask what the recommended cold cranking amps is for your altima. If you don't mind buying a new battery for peace of mind, that is what I suggest. If you still have the problem after you have bought a new battery, It may be the terminals or alternator.

Answer 6

The belt is loose. When it is warm the belt is just a little softer and can grip the pulleys.When cold it is hard and a little more slippery so it slips and squeals. You need to tighten the belt and have someone check the charging system. It is neither hard or difficult. An Electric test meter can be bought for as little as $10. With the car off and no electric accessories on a fully charged battery will have about 12.6-12.8 volts. If it is running and charging the battery the voltage should be around 14 but no lower than about 13.5volts.

Answer 7

I'm not sure how you can find out what's wrong but I thought I might suggest a battery charger. I bought a small cheap battery charger from a hardware store and charged my car battery. It didn't take long to charge and now my car starts very easily even in the cold. Plus it's small enough that I can carry it in the trunk in case I ever need it.

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,and you may have something running the battery down on it,it may not have needed a battery at all in it,especially since it did it with the new one also,if you get it started you should take it and have it checked i think you,ll find there's something running it down ,cold weather is hard on one but not that bad to kill two battery,s get it running and have advance or auto zone run an on car check on the alternator,and see if its working right and look in the car for anything at all that might be on that could kill it,,a trunk light that isn't shutting off will kill a good battery in two days,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 9

You don't say where you live, but if you are parking on the street in REALLY cold weather, like we get in Manitoba, of course your car will not start! How cold is it where you are? Have you tried plugging in your block heater and a battery charger? This is all guess work here, without a couple more details.

Answer 10

You answered your own question.
With a DVM ( digital volt meter )
measure your battery at a stand still.
The car is 12 volts, the battery usally operates at about 14.7 volts.
So when the car is starting you should not see a drop beond 9 volts,
Start the car and turn on accesories one by one.
You should see the charging system make up for these individual draws.