i bought a used 99 Volkwagen passat 2 weeks ago and its been sitting in the parking lot since. Last night my friend wanted to take a look inside the car so i opened the door with the alarm/lock device and noticed the door locks wont go up(unlock). I used the key to open the door and noticed the light on the top was dim. usually it would be bright. i tried starting the car and it wont start. i turned on the headlights and they were really dim.
so the signs are
1. locks wont unlock using the lock/alarm device
2. light on top was dim..eventually off
3. cant start the car; turned on headlights and they were really dim
4. i tried locking/unlocking using the door lock switch(in the car) and it didnt work
5. the red flashing light by the driver's door lock stops flashing
2007-09-12 05:40:07 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
That would be my first impression. Get the battery charged for less than $25.00. (you can remove it yourself).Remove the NEG cable first and install last.
2007-09-12 05:48:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. There is a difference between a dead and discharged battery. In some vehicles, the computer that runs all the elecronics and alarm cause a small drain off the battery. The battery itself also has parasitic drain, which is totally normal. After a time without the alternator replacing this drain, the battery will lose cehmical energy to start the car. If it is only discharged, the energy can be replaced with proper charging. If it is old or damaged, it will not be able to store enough energy to reliably operate the car. If after charging at 10 amps for 8-12 hours you can get a voltage of 12.8 -13.2 volts, (after a quick, heavy drain to remove surface charge, ie starter for 3-5 seconds, headlights for a minute) your battery most likely is ok. If the battery will not take a charge,one or more cells boil heavily during heavy charge/discharge, the voltage is below 11 volts after 4 hours at 10 amps, or it is old, it may very well be a bad battery. The best procedure is a voltage, specific gravity acid test, and a load test. within 4 hours a battery should be 98% diagnosable. But yes, they are all signs of a "discharged" battery, vs a "dead" battery.
NEVER remove any battery terminal of ANY car manufactured after 1985 while running OR "on" as the internal regulator may and usually WILL be seriously dammaged from the initial voltage spike that WILL result. Also, that spike can damage short and long term memory in the various computers within the car, as well as overloading the alternator. It is also just plain dangerous. NO NO!
2007-09-12 06:10:17 · answer #2 · answered by jonnybeegood 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the car ran before, that means that you have a short or as simple as leaving a courtesy light on in the car. Also, if the battery is about 5 years old or more, pretty much needs a replacement.
My finace 07 VW bug came with a Solar Panel that you plug and keeps your battery charged. The Computer needs some power to keep the "memory" going.
To test the Battery it needs a load test, Auto Zone and such places might have a load tester to see if still good or not.
A discharged battery create Lead Sulfite that sinks on the bottom and shorts them out. Therefore ruin the battery and has to be replaced or you have to clean the plates and reassemble. Since you do not have the facilities and batteries now these days are not meat to be fix, forget it!
My rule is...
If a battery has been seating discharged or low charged for a long time, I will replace it. Now days are pretty cheap, under $100 you can get a good one.
2007-09-12 05:58:20 · answer #3 · answered by spammer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a dead giveaway test: Try to start the car. If the engine doesn't even turn over (all you hear is a click or nothing at all), your battery is dead. Get someone to jump start your car and then drive it on the freeway for about 30 minutes to charge the battery back up. That should do the trick. If your battery dies again, you either have a bad battery or there's something going on with the car that's draining the battery. Best bet in that case is to replace the battery.
2007-09-12 05:49:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, sounds like you have a dead or almost dead battery. Once you get the battery replaced you may also want to check the alternator to make sure that it is providing power like it should. Here is an easy test: Start your car as you normally would. Disconnect your battery, while the car is running. If your car continues to run, then your alternator is fine, but if your car goes dead when you disconnect your battery, I would recommend replacing or rebuilding the alternator.
The reason this test works it that your battery only powers your lights and radio, power locks, etc when the car is not running. Your battery is used to provide the power to the start to start the car but once your car is running the alternator provides all the power, and any left over power is used to charge your battery. Therefore when you disconnect your battery, the car should continue running if you have a good alternator.
2007-09-12 05:57:33 · answer #5 · answered by ckcool192000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything you list is an indication that the battery is dead, but not necessarily shot. You may have a charging problem, or the battery may have been discharged when you parked the car. Best is to charge the battery completely, THEN test it. If it tests good, check the charging system, and test the car for a quiescent (parasitic) drain.
2007-09-12 05:48:18 · answer #6 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah. When the dome light is dim. the power is almost gone. It needs a recharging like NOW. 10A Battery charger plugged into 120 volt and overnight.AND MAYBE, if you are LUCKY, you can start the thing. Also,6 yrs is a long time for a battery. About replacement time.
2007-09-12 06:17:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if the battery is bad, it is low on voltage and needs to be recharged. You could also have a drain on the electrical system. Jump start the car, and then take it for a long drive. You could also take it to an auto parts store and have them do a load test on the battery once it is fully charged.
good luck.
2007-09-12 05:51:39 · answer #8 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have a dead battery. Charge it up good (or jump start and let run for 15 minutes) and take it to Auto Zone where they can test it for free.
2007-09-12 05:46:15 · answer #9 · answered by ryankneale 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-19 15:38:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a doubt an almost dead battery...check both terminal connections first for corrosion before going out and getting a new one!
2007-09-12 05:51:54 · answer #11 · answered by Joseph P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋