Drove my car all day long this Saturday with out a problem. Sunday morning, went to start the car but the batt was dead. Im 100% sure I didnt leave the lights on cuz my alarm would beep like crazy if I did. Gave the car a boost and it started. Let in run for a while b4 I set off... Went to the corner store 2 buy something, came out and AGAIN the batt was dead. Boosted it again, it started and I was off drove for about 15mins keeping my eye on the volt meter, needle was at about 13-15 or so... Got to a stop light, and it died. Wouldnt restart. Dead batt again... After another boost, I drove the car for about 45 mins. It seemed fine. It quit shutting off. So I fiugred that altenator was charging the batt properly. Got home ok. About 2 hours later, went to start the car... BATT is DEAD. Replaced the altenator with a new one about last Sep/Oct. alog with a new battery. Would could be the problem. The last time my altenator went bad I could see the voltmeter dropping down and the lights dimming and whatever, this time however, no warning at all. I dont wanna be replaceing a whole bunch of unecessary stuff... THANX

 

I think its the batt. Same thing happened to me and when I replaced the battey, the problem went away. If it were the alt, the car would die in the middle of the road cause the battery would drain completley and you wouldnt be able to restart it and drive off.

 

Well thats what I was thinking but again this batt. is less than a year old... Certainly it should last longer than this right? Can aggressive driving shorten the life of a battery???

 

Here is my experience with some batteries...

1. Nisan maxima, new batt from Sears, dead within a few months

2. Nissan Maxima, new batt from sears, dead within a few months

3. Pontac 6000, new batt frm Sears, dead within a few weeks

4. Pontiac 6000, new batt from Sears, dead within a few weeks

5. Pontiac 6000, new batt from Sears, dead within a few months

6. Bird, new batt from Sears, dead within a week


IDK if I just have bad luck with batteries or what, but I've had batteries go bad like crazy. Most were "defective" I should just switch battery brands, but when I DO get a good one from Sear/diehards, they last a long time. Id take the battery to get checked.

 

Ya, sound sliek a good idea. I beleive its an ENERGIZER brand battery I picked up from a Wal-Mart or something... Since it's been such a short time, Im hoping theres a warranty or something...

 

definitly sounds like a battery problem. What does the Voltage guage say when you're running? If it's above 13V then your alt is working, it's the battery that's not charging. If you're below, then you might have an alternator problem.

I would get the battery replaced under warranty, then take it to a shop where they can load test the charging system to make sure that your alternator is capable of putting out it's rated amperage. Most shops don't even charge for the 2 minutes it takes to load test a charging system.

Sears and Walmart batteries are crap...that's why they're so cheap. I know it's expensive, but spend the $80 and purchase a good quality battery like interstate or something. They last a hell of a lot longer.

Aggressive driving doesn't shorten battery life, but a charging system that's not maintained does. Make sure all your battery connections are clean and tight and that your cable ends are tight at their respective connections(pos at back of alt and starter and neg on front of engine block). Any corrosion at any of these points will affect your charging system. Also, make sure that you're sound system isn't straining your charging system if you have aftermarket amps/subs installed, this is a big killer of batteries because people overload them and draw them down and then kill an alternator.

 

Dont have any amp or subs... Voltemeter is just above 13 when the car is running.... I know these batteries are crap but last yeat after a shop swap another 3.1 into my car, I picked it up and the batt died out on the road with me the very next day... So I had ASSUMED that the batt had just gave out cuz b4 that it had been sittin for a long time over the winter and had to be boosted to run and was ALSO the batt that came in the car when I purchased it so i just picked up a cheapie just to get on my way... Only 2 have it die again the next day. Thats when i had the alt replaced.....

 

sounds like a good time for another story...

I went to have my charging system checked on either the 6000 or Bird. I know I recently replaced the alternator, and just wanted it checked since I replaced the battery....I think the following conversation says it all....

Mechanic 1: "Ok, just let me hook up your car to our machine"

Me: ok

*checks charging system*

Mechanic 1: "hmmmmm....oh man, seems that you need a new alternator...to bad, you want to do it tonight?"

Me: Really??

Mechanic 1: "Yeah"

At this time another guy comes around and looks at what going on and says to mechnic 1

Mechanic 2: "Dude, you got the wires hooked up wrong"

Mechnic 1: "oh....oops....*hooks wires up correctly* "oh, ok. Its fine"

.........just goes to show that you cant trust them all.