My car wont start all of a sudden, when I tried to jump start it, the lights started working and the power locks and windows..etc and the engine feels like it is about to start up then dies again on the last minute, do u think i have a bad battery or something is wrong with the alternator? how can I find out for sure?
2007-08-16 19:33:33 · 6 answers · asked by hazoura_87 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The battery is probably on its way out. Take it to Sears or another reputable shop to have the battery load tested, which is a test to determine the battery's operating capacity. If you need a new one, opt for a battery with a higher CCA(cold cranking amp) rating than what is called for. The tech can also perform a charging system analysis to see if the alternator is keeping your battery at or around 14 Volts, which is normal range. Generally, if the battery is over 5 yrs old and has been running a/c for most of the year, its had it.
2007-08-16 19:43:18 · answer #1 · answered by SouthBayTech 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how long you tried to jump it.
If the car would not start at all, after leaving the jump cable on for a while, then you have a problem that could be worse than just an alternator or battery. Or could be simple..
Make sure the batter terminals are clean. Be careful as the crud that could be corroding your batter terminals is, well, corrosive. So be careful.
You can use Coke and a wire brush to clean the terminals if they are corroded. If you still can not start with a jump, then you may have a bad battery connection and may need to replace the wires on your battery.
If you were able to start the car with a jump and then it would not keep running, then I would say the alternator is most likely the culprit as the alternator will not start your car, but will keep your battery charged enough to keep the car running.
Since you did get lights working with jumper cables that tells me that you certainly have a problem keeping the volts moving. However, if it was the battery, the car should start while hooked up to cables, you are basically borrowing the charge from the other battery to crank the car.
This is an issue that could turn out to be the alternator, the battery, the starter, or bad connections.
From what you have stated, I would guess that you have some bad wires...but that may not be it. I would start with cleaning the battery terminals. If that does not work, you need to check the battery cables and replace if necessary. Cheaper than a new battery or alternator. If you get started after replacing cables, but it will not continue to run, then you may have a bad alternator. Or you have a distributor problem. It would help if you told us what the car is.
My suggestion is clean and then replace the cables if necessary. If you still have a problem after this simple procedure, you need the help of a mechanic. Unless you want to play the chance game. You could replace the battery on the chance that it is the culprit and then replace the alternator on the chance that it is the culprit and then replace distributor cap on the chance it is the culprit, etc. etc... A trained mechanic can tell you what is bad..
Also if it is an older ford, it could be a solenoid problem...But I can't know that without knowing what you have. Solenoid is an easy fix and there is an easy way to tell if it is faulty.
Hope things work out for you..
2007-08-16 19:55:54 · answer #2 · answered by Robert C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do what blank said and get the battery charge tested. For a fee they might even be able to charge the battery for you. If it dies again so soon then it is probably the alternator. Almost all cars made after 1985 have computer parts that can get fried when you get your car jump-started. If you have a nice new car, never do that! The alternator could be the reason the battery died in the first place, or you could have killed it during the jump, or maybe just the warning light. I'm assuming that your friend who jumped you knew to check the connections of the wires going to the battery and the posts. They could have wiggled loose. Never assume the problem is just the warning light because you can get in a dangerous situation if your car breaks down.
2016-05-20 19:48:54 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The battery is definitely gone.
This may be caused by age or the charging system, (alternator), may be at fault.
If it doesn't start with a 'jump` you might have another problem as well, unless you jumped it from a smaller battery.
I'm afraid it's 'shop` time.
2007-08-16 19:48:47 · answer #4 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its nothing wrong with your battery,if your battery are problem u cant never start your car,what car that u use????
2007-08-17 01:19:48 · answer #5 · answered by apend_jr 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take it in to an auto parts place amd have them check it.
2007-08-16 19:44:23 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋