67 electrical-trying to start kills battery

[StephenMarshCA]

Hello - I'm new here and I'm hoping someone here can give me some insight. My electrical system seems fine - lights work etc, but when I go to start the car - it kills my battery and the car doesn't start (starter won't even spin). If I hook up a second battery - it will jump start - and then run fine until I shut it off, once off - it will not start again without another jump. I'm guessing there's a short somewhere but have no idea where it might be. I've checked all cables, ground straps etc - all is relatively new and looks good - maybe the ignition switch or the solenoid? Bad starter or alternator?. Any thoughts?

Thanks everyone!--Steph

 

[Az Pete]

Take the battery out and have it charged and tested at a local auto parts store. No cost at most places. If it starts with a jump, it kind of rules out all the other problems such as starter, switch and such. You also should check the alt. to see if it is charging.

Check for failed items before throwing money at it.

If the battery is good and the alt. is charging, check for a drain from something like a new style radio gone bad or something.

 

[67rcks]

Check if you have 13.7+ v at the battery with the engine is running. Then it is charging. IMO 99% chance it will be old battery. If you are sorry to send her to heaven use a regulator with higher voltage like 14.5v at least, it may last another year.