New battery or something else?

[atalarico]

Hey all,

So, I woke up today to a car that wouldn't start. I got a jump from a friend and didn't think much of it. I went to start it up again about an hour later on my way to work and it wouldn't start again. However, instead of getting a jump, I was thinking that I was going to have to install the new Interstate MegaTron II that I have waiting to replace this battery. For the fun of it, I hooked up the cables and touched the two ends that would normally go on another battery and there were definitely sparks!

Sure enough, the car started after that! I drove to work, parked in the garage, and turned off my car. For the fun of it, I tested to see if it would start again or if I was going to need to do the same thing again in the work parking garage. Turns out it wouldn't start (no power to anything).

What's going on? Is my battery on it's death bed, or is my alternator no longer working?

The last time I got an alignment at Firestone (a few weeks back) they told me that my battery was getting close to the end of it's life (something about 300 something or another).

I really hope it's just the dang battery. I know, I know, just replace the battery and see what happens...

 

[opie74]

Sounds like loose clamps. Try wiggling them with the key on and see what happens. At times they can work themselves loose or just plain wear out and not hold tight anymore.

Also, check the voltage at the terminals with the key off. Should be close to 12v give out take 1. Then, when you get it running, check voltage again. Running you should be between 14 and 14.5, give or take. You can load test the battery as well, if you have the proper tool.

 

[atalarico]

Well, after work I put my keys in the ignition and the battery was dead again. I popped the hood and right when I hooked up the jumper cables to the battery, the door chime started chiming.

Anyway, I drove a more significant amount of time (read: the long way home) and the battery is holding a charge again. It will start time and time again. Soooo, I cleaned the horrendously corroded terminals and cables with some baking soda and such, threw some vaseline on them, and all seems to be well again.

I'll keep my new battery in the back when the time comes, but thanks for the help!

 

[Maritimer]

...the horrendously corroded terminals and cables...

That might be the key, there. I like the idea of getting everything out of the old one--throwing the new battery in when the time comes is a cinch.

 

[nevada]

Well, after work I put my keys in the ignition and the battery was dead again. I popped the hood and right when I hooked up the jumper cables to the battery, the door chime started chiming.

Anyway, I drove a more significant amount of time (read: the long way home) and the battery is holding a charge again. It will start time and time again. Soooo, I cleaned the horrendously corroded terminals and cables with some baking soda and such, threw some vaseline on them, and all seems to be well again.

I'll keep my new battery in the back when the time comes, but thanks for the help!

it might be a good idea to put it on a low amp charger for a few hours.
if it had a bad connection for a while, it may not have been getting charged correctly.
the vehicle will not fully charge a dead battery. just an FYI.

 

[atalarico]

That might be the key, there. I like the idea of getting everything out of the old one--throwing the new battery in when the time comes is a cinch.

Yep, I'm ordering some new battery cables because they looked pretty shot. I tend to have a small tool kit in my truck anyway, so I guess when the old one dies I can just pop the new one in...hoping it's not in the snow/rain/etc.

it might be a good idea to put it on a low amp charger for a few hours.
if it had a bad connection for a while, it may not have been getting charged correctly.
the vehicle will not fully charge a dead battery. just an FYI.

I don't have access to a low amp charger, or at least that I know of. Any recommendations?

 

[RAD4Runner]

Thoroughly cleaned your connections, right?

... right when I hooked up the jumper cables to the battery, the door chime started chiming...
... I cleaned the horrendously corroded terminals and cables

Yep, do not underestimate what simple corrosion can do.

Once, when I tried to start Ruby Tuesday, all I heard was cranking momentarily and stopping then all lights and indication of power went out, except for the dome light. Suspecting discharged battery, I jump started with our Corolla, then drove around the block. Before I got back in the garage, I accidentally released clutch too fast so it stalled, and would not restart again. No headlight, no radio.

To double-check battery, I measured 12.5VDC with lights out. I turned headlight switch on and still measured 12.5V while headlight remained off.
On the outside, my battery post and connector were clean.

Main fuse? Fusible links? While pondering, I was probing the "terminal" post repeatedly. As I thought, "Time to really look at FSM," I happened to stick the probe (green in draw-in below) right IN the interface (orange circle) between terminal post and connector . Probe sparked and headlight came on!

Lesson Learned:
Even the lightest, non-obvious corrosion could throw one's troubleshooting off. That corrosion between connector and post was basically insulating my connector from the post (like electrical tape wrapped around the post would).