Car didn’t start this morning, do I need a new battery or did I drain my battery? (although I can’t seem to think of how I did?)
I'm recently a new car owner so I'm not fully educated on some aspects of a car and I was silly and didn't turn the key all the way so I could listen to music while working out. Eventually my car had lost it's battery I learned and I had someone jump start it which was fast and easy, he believed my car battery was just drained because I didn't turn it on completely. So my car had been working after that, a week later and this morning my car wouldn't start! The lights in the front worked, it just made clicking sounds when I tried turning on my car! Could it be drained ag
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there!
First off, don’t worry about being a new car owner – everybody has gone through this same situation at least one time in their lives. When the radio or other accessories are turned on while the engine is not running, the power is drained from the battery. If it’s too long, it can cause the battery to prematurely wear out. However, since your vehicle is a 2010, it’s possible that the battery was on it’s last legs as it was. Usually when the car starts, the alternator charges the battery. But if the battery is worn out or old; it usually means the battery needs to be replaced. We have several professional mechanics from YourMechanic.com who can complete the battery installation for you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Parasitic Drain
A small amount of parasitic drain is normal and expected, since things like your clock and audio system need some power to avoid being reset every time you turn off the car. However, excessive parasitic drain can be a problem, leaving your battery empty by morning.
“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.”
If you continue having difficulties starting your car in the morning, you may have a drain on your battery somewhere, or you may need a new alternator.
The only method to start an automatic car with a dead battery is to use a portable battery charger. If you drive an automatic car, make sure you have a simple portable charger in your roadside emergency toolkit.
The most likely issue is that a component is clogged. A clogged fuel filter is the most common reason, although a loss of power in your car could also indicate problems with the fuel pump or fuel line. Impurities or debris may be blocking the system, which causes the loss of power in a car.
How Long Can a Car Battery Sit Unused? How long does a sitting car battery last? A car battery can last about four weeks to two months before it dies. Your car battery can only last so long before it fails when you`re not driving because of key-off drain.
That can be your car headlights, dome light, light in the glove box, or trunk light. Even vanity mirror lights can drain a battery if left on overnight.
To restart your car, you can use jump leads, which can be used in the same way for both a manual and automatic car. This means that, yes – you can jump start an automatic car. However, what you can`t do is push or bump start an automatic car.
When it comes to the vehicle not starting, and not having electrical power, always start by checking the battery. In your situation you can go remove the battery from the vehicle, and take it to have it tested. If it is bad, simply replace it and drive the care home.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car didn’t start this morning, do I need a new battery or did I drain my battery? (although I can’t seem to think of how I did?)
ANSWER : Hi there!
First off, don’t worry about being a new car owner – everybody has gone through this same situation at least one time in their lives. When the radio or other accessories are turned on while the engine is not running, the power is drained from the battery. If it’s too long, it can cause the battery to prematurely wear out. However, since your vehicle is a 2010, it’s possible that the battery was on it’s last legs as it was. Usually when the car starts, the alternator charges the battery. But if the battery is worn out or old; it usually means the battery needs to be replaced. We have several professional mechanics from YourMechanic.com who can complete the battery installation for you.
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.
Battery drained and car key couldn’t open car door.
ANSWER : Hi there. The battery is draining for a parasitic load applied to the battery over night. This will drain the battery to needing a charge or needing a replacement. If the alarm was installed and it was for a newer vehicle, as long as the wiring is correctly installed into the vehicle, the year of the alarm should not matter. The alarm was probably installed on the wrong circuit causing the other circuit to have a load applied to it when the key is turned off. I recommend disabling the alarm and see if the battery does not discharge. If so, then hook up the alarm to a different circuit isolating it from any other circuits. If you need further assistance with your battery draining, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
2005 Chrysler 300C changed battery and alternator. Car started, ran, and then battery light came on. Shut car off and wouldn’t start.
ANSWER : Hi. There is a couple of things that could be wrong here. The battery or alternator that was just installed could be defective. Theses parts need to be tested for proper operation. There also could be a fuse, fusible link, or wiring for the battery or charging system that is blown or broken causing the battery light to come on.
The codes that you have will cause the car to shut down, run rough, or not start at all. The crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor should be replaced. I suggest having a certified technician from YourMechanic come diagnose the charging system and check engine codes to help you proceed with correct repairs.
New battery & fuel pump. Hours later car starts and shuts down 3X in a row. Finally it starts, 48 hours later, won’t start at all
ANSWER : Checking all the fuses was a good move. I would also want to put a scan tool on it and check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) as well as seeing the data that the computer is seeing.
A fuel pressure test would be a good idea to verify correct pressure and so that you’d be able to eliminate that possibility. It should be 58psi on your Magnum.
I also recommend getting your battery tested (I know, it’s new, have it tested anyway) and be sure it’s charged to at least 75%. And yes, loose battery cable connections can result in electrical problems.
If you need some assistance with this, consider enlisting a certified mechanic who can perform the checks I’ve mentioned and diagnose your starting issue firsthand. The mechanic can then perform the necessary repairs once the problem has been isolated. Good luck.
Brand new car has problem starting 2016 Nissan Sentra
ANSWER : Hi – the "hard start when hot" sounds like a weak starter solenoid – unusual for a new car. "Heat soak" the transfer of heat after a vehicle has been driven, can sometimes cause weak electrical components, like the starter solenoid, to fail while hot, but work properly once they have cooled down. Since your vehicle is under warranty, I would seek correction through the dealer where you purchased the vehicle. If this is not satisfactory, call Nissan Customer Service to escalate.
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.
My car cranks but will not start. I try to do fix the car myself. I put new battery, new alternator, and new ignition coils.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the spark plugs and see if they are worn or burned. If the plugs are good and they have a good spark, then the engine compression could be low causing a no start situation. If the spark plugs are not emitting a spark, then the crankshaft position sensor could have failed or disconnected. Check the crankshaft position sensor wiring harness and make sure that its plugged in. Check the sensor and make sure that its not broken or damaged. If you need further assistance with your engine not starting, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
