Car battery died
Car battery died after being left for 2 weeks. Jumper cables did not work. What to do next?
My car has 30000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a weak battery that may be beyond recharging. Generally, when a battery does not respond to a jump, it will need to be replaced. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect and replace your battery.
It sounds like you may have a weak battery that may be beyond recharging. Generally, when a battery does not respond to a jump, it will need to be replaced. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect and replace your battery.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The engine may not turn over at all, or it may turn over very slowly. In either case, if you have a Subaru dead battery, you will need to jump-start the car. The engine may turn over very quickly but not start. This is because the starter needs more power than a dead battery.
Your car battery can drain over time from stereo components (subwoofers), phone chargers, and anything you leave plugged into vehicle outlets that continue to draw power from the battery after the car is turned off. Other power drains include interior and below-vehicle LED lights. Loose or corroded connections.
Sometimes a vehicle starts, but instead of idling, the engine immediately dies. In this case, the battery`s charge may be just enough to turn over the engine. However, the battery then fails, causing disruptions in the signals sent to the engine control module (ECM), and the engine then dies.
If your battery is sulfated, which results in low power and difficulty in recharging to full capacity, it can sometimes be recovered using proper pulse charging techniques. Wehmeyer warns, however, that there are an infinite variety of pulse charging techniques used by a wide variety of equipment sold for this purpose.
Yes, if your battery is underperforming it can cause systems within the vehicle to malfunction. A bad battery can also result in air conditioners, stereos and other applications not receiving enough power to function properly.
Usually this means your Alternator is bad. Early warning signs of a Faulty Alternator can include Engine Stalling, Electrical Malfunctions, Abnormal Noises, Dim or Flickering lights, and Difficulty Starting the Engine.
Simply put, no car battery, whether healthy or dead, can charge itself. It always requires an external power source to get charged. Can Dead Batteries be Charged? Once a car battery is dead, the alternator will fail to recharge it completely.
“Electrical devices or lights left running, a defective charging system or alternator, and extreme weather are some common reasons but maybe it`s just time to get a new battery.”
One common reason why a car won`t jump start is because the battery is completely dead. If the battery is completely dead, it won`t have enough power to turn over the engine, even with a jump start. In this case, you`ll need to replace the battery to get your car running again.
If you follow all safety precautions, jumping a dead car battery is completely safe. Here is a look at some of the safety measures you should follow: Make sure both cars are turned off when connecting the jumper cables. Always connect the cables to the dead battery first.
Subaru batteries usually last between 3-5 years, but this is variable depending on the type of battery, driving habits, weather conditions, and more.
How often should you replace your Subaru Outback battery? Every 3 to 5 years, but you should have your battery tested frequently for drops in voltage to make sure it`s operating at a high level. Car batteries typically carry 12 to 13 volts unless you have a high-performance battery.
Usually this means your Alternator is bad. Early warning signs of a Faulty Alternator can include Engine Stalling, Electrical Malfunctions, Abnormal Noises, Dim or Flickering lights, and Difficulty Starting the Engine.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Water was spilled in the trunk which soaked the car battery. Car won’t start now. Does water destroy a car battery?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in about the concern with the BMW 320i. If the battery was submerged in water then it’s completely possible for the battery to short out and die. Your friend will need to have the battery replaced. Also be sure to get all of the water out of the trunk. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, help you guys out if you need assistance with replacing the battery. Good luck.
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Car died while driving so I replaced the alternator and battery and car won’t attempt to turn over. What else could it be?
ANSWER : The initial failure was likely caused by a sudden fuel system (e.g., failed fuel pump) or electrical (including ignition) faiure. Prior to performing diagnostics be sure you have a fully charged battery that passes a load test. Then, confirm that the engine immobilizer system (security system) is not activated thus preventing the car from starting. If the starter motor is not functioning, check for power to the starter motor when the key is held in the "start" position. If there a large voltage drop at the starter motor or no power at all, you may have a faulty ignition switch but you do have to check out the entire starter circuit, which includes grounds, wiring (some of which is very heavy cabling), fuses, relays, the ignition switch and terminations. On the other hand, if the starter motor is getting power but the starter doesn’t work, then the starter is condemned and replaced. If you desire that a certified mechanic resolve this, please simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get the problem diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.
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When changing the car battery, do you "register" the battery to the car computer?
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.
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My battery light is on.
ANSWER : The problem is not the battery, but the charging system is not keeping the battery recharged. The alternator is the most common cause of this, though failing battery cables can also be a cause. I would recommend having the battery cables and alternator tested and checked by a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, who will come to you and diagnose the problem for you. Do not try and drive it or it will leave you stranded from the battery going dead again. The cables to the battery from the alternator may be bad or the alternator is not charging. Only the testing and diagnosis will reveal the problem.
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My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Car battery dying quickly especially after longer driving
ANSWER : It sounds like the alternator is not charging the battery, when are you driving long distances. Running all the accessories and then shutting it off can cause the battery to be too weak to restart the car. If the alternator is intermittently not charging, then you may have other wiring issues or just an intermittent problem within the alternator. Have the charging system checked by a mechanic after driving it and not shutting it off, to see if the battery is being charged. You may also have a body control module issue with extended storage mode. The dealer can check this mode with the special scanner and checking the extended storage fuse is not installed.
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Battery dies if the car sat for over 20 hours
ANSWER : Batteries that drain overnight are common. Usually when this occurs, there is a parasitic drain on one of the car’s systems. When this occurs it drains the battery down over time. Batteries that are drained down repeatedly can cause them to fail. The most common causes of the battery drain are aftermarket accessories, radio, power windows and seat motors. If you can find the cause of the parasitic drain, a certified mobile technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose your battery and determine what should be done.
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i was driving and my oil light kept going off. Car had oil. Car wouldn’t accelerate. Car died. It does not turn engine over now.
ANSWER : It is very possible that the engine has been damaged beyond repair. Usually when the oil light goes on and the vehicle is low on oil, especially when a loud noise is heard right before the vehicle died, it is very likely that the engine is blown and would require replacement in order to continue driving the vehicle. I would recommend having the vehicle checked with a no start inspection. Consider YourMechanic as this service can be completed at your home or office.
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