Stupid question about cars

[DocRafiki]

OK, I need the "mechanics for idiots" version.

Car wouldn't start last week. Nothing came on when I turned the ignition. I brought in the battery to be tested, and it was so dead that they couldn't get a reading on it. Bought a new battery on Tuesday; cranked fine, but I didn't drive it anywhere.

Today's the first time I tried to crank it since Tues, and the same thing... completely dead.

What the heck could be going on? Was I supposed to drive around for a while and charge the battery after I installed it? Could there be something wrong with my car that's killing the batteries? Is it time to get a tow?

I'm going to call the store where I bought the battery, but I thought I'd type this up first and see if I get any responses while I'm investigating further. I'm looking into this rather than just trying a jump start because it would be difficult to find someone to help with that this time of day.

There is ALWAYS something keeping me from being on time! If it weren't such a pain, I'd be tempted to just go buy a cheap car to use until I start working full-time.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I am not a car expert....but it may be your alternator.....I believe that is what keeps the battery charged.

 

[Eeyore1954]

I am not a mechanic, but what happened to you sounds like what happened in my 1992 Ford Taurus - a couple of times. Our alternator went bad. Our mechanic told us it would drain a good battery in a matter of hours. It wasn't cheap to replace -- several hundred dollars -- but it was the root cause of our problem. Again, I am no mechanic, but I do play one on the DIS!

 

[DocRafiki]

ugh. Thanks, guys. Sounds like it's time for a tow.

 

[dandave]

Are you sure the battery was fully charged when you put it in? Sometimes they only have a partial charge when purchased. You either have to put it on a charger or drive around a while to let it charge up.

 

[dmfuru]

How long did you drive after getting the new battery? If you took a long drive, the battery might have discharged (it should recharge while driving)--check the alternator.

Also, check your car for any electrical device that may be ON, such as a dome light, trunk light, electrical switch for the seat, etc. This could drain the battery while the car is parked. You may have to look diligently for a drain source, b/c they are not always obvious.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

On my old beater car if the side door did not get shut properly due to a dent the light in the door would stay on and drain the battery. Finally got rid of that car!

 

[Kermit]

I agree that it sounds like the alternator, but take that with a grain of salt because the only stuff I know about cars is stuff I've learned because it happened to me. If you do get it towed, they can hook it up to some diagnostic test thingie that will tell you exactly what's wrong. Both the towing and the test are expensive, but so is repairing the wrong thing a few times. I think car problems frustrate me more than just about anything because there's usually no clear answer on what you should do.

 

[bumcat]

Never fails for us, we always need a new battery and alternator once the battery dies.

 

[wvjules]

My money is on the starter, not the alternator. If the car would turn over then stall, I'd say alternator, but since it's not even turning over, I'm gonna say its the starter.

 

[Wagamama]

No car advice from me, just a hi!!!!

 

[DVC-Don]

Voltage regulator or alternator. Take the whole car to be tested.

 

[coqui]

Originally posted by wvjules
My money is on the starter, not the alternator. If the car would turn over then stall, I'd say alternator, but since it's not even turning over, I'm gonna say its the starter.

Vote two for the starter. Dead batteries usually just don't get the elctronic ignition working.

Dead Starters mean nothing takes place.

 

[DocRafiki]

Uck uck uck. So the car parts store says their batteries are fully charged when they leave there, so they think it's something with my car.

I picked up my rental car (as was already the plan), bought some jumper cables, and got intimidated by the directions to jump start. And I was so proud of myself last week for changing the battery all by myself.

I was thinking of trying to get the battery charged, searching for anything that might be draining the battery, and then driving the car to the shop that is about a block away. Then I was reminded that it might stall along the way if there is an alternator problem. So, it looks like I will be paying for the tow. And you know, I was thinking just this week about how I should join AAA (inspired by Glo's locked out post but also thinking about it before that).

About the starter... is that different from the ignition? I had that replaced about a year ago. Dog hair was the culprit , but I've been careful since then about keeping that out. Besides, I did get the car to start (without a problem) right after I replaced the battery. Does that mean anything?

I know what you mean, Kermit, with the frustration. But, that's also how medicine is, so I'm very understanding.

I'm trying to overcome the extreme urge to PROCRASTINATE and handle this problem on Tuesday after I come back from my weekend working in Orlando. I need to get on the road!

Thanks again for the input, everyone!

Oh, and HI Wags! Ain't life grand?

 

[C.Ann]

Which is less expensive - the tow or a years membership to AAA?

If the AAA is cheaper, go on-line, sign up for it tonight on their web site and then have the car towed next week when you get back from Orlando..

 

[Boots]

Hope you get your car fixed! I am not mechanically inclined either!

 

[dmfuru]

Does anything electrical work at present (ie., can you turn on the headlights or radio)? If so, then the battery is OK.

If the battery is OK, then you might have a faulty starter.

IF the battery is drained, then you shuld check the alternator and also make sure nothing else is draining the battery (see my previous post).

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

What car parts store did you go to? i am so surprised they didn't check the alternator when they replaced the battery. Advance Auto and others like that will test your battery and alternator for FREE.

And if it's the starter..you will usually only get a click, click noise when the engine tries to turn over. An alternator can get enough juice to start from just the new battery. But, once you turn the car off it drains it again. Also, if you know anyone with even a limited amount of mechanical experience, they can replace the alternator for you. It is just about the easiest thing to replace on a car.

Listen to me, I sound like I know what I am talking about lol Comes from tons of old cars with electrical problems...you learn from experience.