Battery shot?

ANSWER : I would not recommend using jumper cables as a means to connect your battery for a couple of reasons. First of all, it can be dangerous as it can create additional risk of sparks that would not otherwise happen when connected properly. Secondly, the jumper cables are not designed to be connected for extended periods of time and do not connect as well as terminals do that are bolted down, which may result in poor connection issues anyway. If the second battery did produce power but not enough to crank the engine over, there is a good chance it is simply too weak to turn the motor over. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to install the correct battery and terminals on your vehicle.

ANSWER : Hi there – yes, something is going on here that’s draining your battery. Perhaps the pressure of the engine wash dislodged wiring which has shorted, or there was a chemical reaction to the cleaning solution that caused electrical damage in the alternator or voltage regulator. These componnents can be checked off of the vehicle. Vehicle wiring can be diagnosed by connecting an ammeter to the positive (red) battery cable, observe the current drain (likely less than 1 amp), then, one at a time, remove each fuse, check to see if the current drain has dropped to near 0, then reinsert the fuse. This process should identify the faulty circuit in most cases. The specific components on that circuit can then be checked for current drain problems. A professional mechanic, like YourMechanic, can come to your location, and perform this procedure for you, and replace/repair the failing component.

ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. This may be a sign of a failing starter relay. The starter relay is a small unit near the starter that directs power to the starter from the battery. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not allow the starter to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose your starting issue to determine the solution to get you back on the road.

ANSWER : Hello – this problem can be diagnosed by connecting an ammeter to the positive (red) battery cable, observe the current drain (likely less than 1 amp), then, one at a time, remove each fuse, check to see if the current drain has dropped to near 0, then reinsert the fuse. This process should identify the faulty circuit in most cases. The specific components on that circuit can then be checked for current drain problems. A professional mechanic, like YourMechanic, can come to your location, and perform this procedure for you, and identify, replace or repair the failing component.

ANSWER : Hello.

If replacing those particular components did not correct the issue then the next thing I would look at is the vehicle’s voltage regulator. It appears that this engine’s electrical system is equipped with an external voltage regulator that functions, or malfunctions, independently of the alternator. The voltage regulator regulates power from the vehicle’s alternator, and can cause issues with the electrical system when it malfunctions. I would test it to see if it is functioning properly. It is a silver box that should be mounted somewhere in the engine bay, usually on a wheel well. A technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to replace your car’s voltage regulator if necessary.

Regards,
Eduardo

ANSWER : The very first thing to do is have the battery load tested. If the battery passes a load test be sure it is NOT a marginal pass in which case you should simply install a new battery to reduce diagnostic headaches. As far as buying a new battery, there are actually relatively few battery manufacturers and so a lot of the output is identical but just carries a different brand name. You would be wise to consult "Consumer Reports", as they have already done all of the required battery research for you and so you can safely and reliably purchase whatever they deem to be a top rated battery. If and once you replace the battery, be sure to measure the output of the charging system to confirm that the alternator is properly re-charging the battery. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there. Electrical issues like you are describing are typically caused by a constant parasitic drain. In most cases, this is due to an accessory relay that is faulty, allowing the component to constantly draw power from the battery. It could be other electrical problems causing this issue, so before you attempt any more repairs, it’s probably better money spent to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location to complete a battery won’t hold a charge inspection. This will allow them to isolate the source of the drain and recommend the right repairs.

ANSWER : Hi there. Changing the battery has nothing to do with programming a battery. If the car was flat dead with a battery that lost all of the power because the dome light was on, then when jumped the vehicle will run fine. What may need programmed when the battery is replaced is the key fob. The key fob will lose programming to the computer as the vehicle computer is reset. However, if a 9 volt battery saver was put into a cigarette lighter and the car battery was removed, then the computer will not lose its memory and be just fine. If you need further assistance with your battery, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.