Cold weather more problems WTF!!!!!!!

[RsStanG1987]

Well i recently had a heat problem i fixed that now i am having problems with the charging system so i think. The other day last wendsday i went for a ride in my car and parked it about 12 pm went to start it again around 10 at night the battery was dead. I tried to jump it with my charge box but it wouldnt start so i figured the battery was shot since it was from my old car. Couldnt get a battery till today. Put one in before work car started and ran fine. Went to work started the car a couple times and it started just fine. On my way home my radio cut out 3 times then turned back on i figured weird maybe the wire shook loose. I parked the car and shut everything off lights and all. about an hour later i went to turn the car back on and the battery is dead already. What the hell can this bethe altenator light was not on i diddnt check the volts. Could that be it or is it a short in the wires somewhere? I really cant afford to put a lot of cash into this car right now and do not have much time to do this either being tommorrow is my day off i figured ill do it tommorrow. Sorry about the long post. Please help i dont want to have to sell this car.

 

[The Shape]

First thing to check would be all of your wiring connections for the battery. Could be a bad abttery cable as well just because they look good on the outside doesn't always mean they are. Try wiggling your battery cables around and see if it starts.

 

[RsStanG1987]

First thing to check would be all of your wiring connections for the battery. Could be a bad abttery cable as well just because they look good on the outside doesn't always mean they are. Try wiggling your battery cables around and see if it starts.

I tried that no deal the cables look new and have no corrossion.

 

[bgjohnson]

well i'd check the voltage on it and see what you have. also i would check voltage drain too to see if somthing is pulling voltage while it's off.

 

[RsStanG1987]

What would i check the voltage drain with?

 

[quiksilver9531]

take it to a mechanic and have them test your alternator...i know the one i work at would do it for free...

 

[8YO_VTEC]

check your dome light...thats what killed me lol

 

[RsStanG1987]

Dome light? would that drain a whole battery in one hour? I was thinking something with the radio but i cant pin point it i will get it started in the morning and check the alt.

 

[HISSIN50]

What would i check the voltage drain with?

DMM. hook it up in series and pull fuses.

first though, as others have said, i would check the battery static voltage and output while idling. then at 2K rpm.

parts stores often check charging systems for free.
remember, though you already checked them, if a battery cable is bad (esp ground) or loose, not all the charge gets to the battery.

dont forget to check the visor light and glove box light too.

good luck.

 

[jrichker]

Typically it is something draining the battery. Small things like glove box or courtesy lights are often the culprits. If you have an aftermarket stereo or alarm system, it is also suspect.

The ideal method is to disconnect the positive terminal, and connect a Digital Multimeter (DVM) between the positive terminal on the battery and the positive cable. Set the DVM on a low current scale of 2-5 amps if it doesn't auto range. Watch the current draw, and then start pulling out fuses. When you see a sudden drop in the current, that circuit is the likely culprit. Note that the computer, radio & clock will draw less than 1/10 amp to keep the settings alive.


See http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/automotive/beatbook.pdf. You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

 

[RsStanG1987]

Well charged the battery turned that key all i hear is click click click. I bought nw battery terminals to see what happens. Pulled fuses and let the car sit nothing i dunno why it wont start could it be the starter selinoid. the car has power but wont turn over im pretty sure its not the starter. If you hook jumper cables too it and let it sit for with the cables for a while it starts.im stumped

 

[HISSIN50]

Well charged the battery turned that key all i hear is click click click. I bought nw battery terminals to see what happens. Pulled fuses and let the car sit nothing i dunno why it wont start could it be the starter selinoid. the car has power but wont turn over im pretty sure its not the starter. If you hook jumper cables too it and let it sit for with the cables for a while it starts.im stumped

sounds like a bad battery or connection still. do you have a spare battery to toss on there? when you initially hook up the jumpers, it wont start? starter and all that stuff works - you just are not getting ample (pun intended) juice to the starter.
or take the battery to a parts store to be load tested.
good luck.

 

[RsStanG1987]

I just bought the battery its brand friggen new. I guess tommorrow ill check the battery cables hopefully thats the problem. If not maybe i will put that full coverage to use and park the bastard in the woods somewhere and burn the prick. J/K

 

[HISSIN50]

i figured your battery might be new. FWIW, i have had batteries off the shelf test bad. just something to check.

good luck.

 

[fordman54935]

I wouldn't put too much faith in old battery cables. One of my friends has a 91 Bronco, beautiful truck, takes great care of it, and was having trouble starting the truck. It ended up being the battery cables, and although the insulation on them looked good and the ends were nice and clean, the wire inside was corroded in spots to nothing but that white powdery dust. Just something to check. Good luck! You'll get it figured out.

 

[RsStanG1987]

Well i jumped it today and took it to auto zone checked the alt and it was like negative .74 amps or - 74 amps something like that. Got it home it died put the alt in from my old car in 15 minutes and it runs fine and charges fine. The alt on it was the factory one with 17 years and 135k of abuse on it i guess it was due to go. Works great thanks for all of your help / suggesstions.