New battery-dead battery overnight and car won't crank/start
Forum: C4 Electrical, Body and Interior
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Hey everyone,
You may remember my car not cranking. Some mentioned alarm system...never had alarm warning lights..others mentioned bad starter.
I purchased a new battery...put it in...after a few hesitations, car started...went for a joy ride...next morning, started it again....it started after a few churn like sounds...it was kind of sluggish starting...went out this morning and battery is dead....tried to jump the battery...lights on bright...console light and interior lights on...and it churned/clicked a few times but didn't start up...does this mean that I DO need to get my starter replaced...my car has been sitting for a few months now...when it started up I thought it was just the battery that was no good.
Help...my car was not made for sittin'...although it's 106 degrees here today, I want to drive her in the evening hours...
Thanks for your help
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The starter itself shouldn't be draining the battery, unless there is a problem with the starter solenoid. For something to drain a new battery dead overnight would have to be a pretty good draw...unless the charging system isn't performing right.
Have you checked to see if the alternator is charging AT the battery? A defective alternator could kill the battery overnight, and not charge the battery properly, either.
These cars have a tendency to have electrical gremlins that will drive ya nuts. You have to first determine if there is proper voltage to run the car, and then chase the demons from there.
Wiring insulation wasn't all that good, either. Wiring tends to deteriorate quickly, and cause all sorts of problems.
I would suggest checking the charging system first, then all the connections at the starter, and then prolly go for replacing the starter if nothing turns up with the charging, or wiring.
|UPDATED|7/1/2012 8:11:59 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Have you checked to see if the alternator is charging AT the battery? A defective alternator could kill the battery overnight, and not charge the battery properly, either.
These cars have a tendency to have electrical gremlins that will drive ya nuts. You have to first determine if there is proper voltage to run the car, and then chase the demons from there.
Wiring insulation wasn't all that good, either. Wiring tends to deteriorate quickly, and cause all sorts of problems.
I would suggest checking the charging system first, then all the connections at the starter, and then prolly go for replacing the starter if nothing turns up with the charging, or wiring.
|UPDATED|7/1/2012 8:11:59 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
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TEN A C said: Hey everyone,
You may remember my car not cranking. Some mentioned alarm system...never had alarm warning lights..others mentioned bad starter.
I purchased a new battery...put it in...after a few hesitations, car started...went for a joy ride...next morning, started it again....it started after a few churn like sounds...it was kind of sluggish starting...went out this morning and battery is dead....tried to jump the battery...lights on bright...console light and interior lights on...and it churned/clicked a few times but didn't start up...does this mean that I DO need to get my starter replaced...my car has been sitting for a few months now...when it started up I thought it was just the battery that was no good.
Help...my car was not made for sittin'...although it's 106 degrees here today, I want to drive her in the evening hours...
Thanks for your help
When you first installed the new battery and you had a "few hesitations"...was it cranking over slowly ??...if it was to me that sounds like A) a weak new battery (IMO unlikely)..or B) a poor/corroded connection at the battery (a good wire brush is useful for cleaning) the cables must be clean and tight at both ends.
After being driven a couple times and"went out this morning and battery is dead"....if the battery was down/dead then that sounds like a charging system problem or a serious current draw...however since you jumped it and still wouldn't start.....if you're certain you were making a good connection when you jumped it and the cables aare clean/tight at the battery...then I'm guessing starter. Typically IMO.. if you have a good battery and good cables and connections at both ends of the cables....if a bad starter is the issue-then headlamps would "dim" while trying to crank and if you try to crank long enough the battery cables will get hot because the bad starter is pulling to much current. Once again be very very sure you have agood connection at the battery. JMO
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if you have a test light you could put it between the neg cable and the negitive side of the battery. if the light comes on i would say you have a real bad draw from somewhere . you could pull one fues at a time untill the light goes out . this should tell you what circuit its comeing from..then start looking for a dead short. this should be done only if your getting proper voltage from the charging system like alt . please check it first . have you check the negitive ground on the frame from the neg battery cable. i have also seen the alt reverse curent from the trio diode. and voltage regulater. this could be check with a voltage meter. just my opinion . if you had a servce manual it would show you these test. easy not complicated.
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it may sound strange but i had the same problem with my wifes 90. it turned out the motor on the passenger seat was the draw. i used the light and gnd cable methed and pulled the fuses till i found the correct circuit. even with the bad motor in the seat the seat still worked but it was very warm to touch though it was not being used.
Annicorvette
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Send PMCheektowaga, NY - USA
Joined: 11/5/2014
Posts: 127
Vette(s): 1978 Silver anniversary edition.
Advanced auto parts can bench test your alternator for correct output.....mine went last summer...but luckily I was able to get it home b4 it died...the output according to dash guage was only 11.5, needless to say not enough to replennish the battery.....had it rebuilt, and new battery...good as new! not surprised that u can't get a crank...there is SO much electrical on these cars....seems to me it really needs a good battery/alternator to turn the car over.
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e
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Send PMLanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
agree that it may be the altenator. the internal regulators have a habit of going bad and will kill the battery just sitting there.
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