My car has trouble starting in the mornings, and I have to jump it every now and then. So I got a new batt today and put it in. I jumped it to get it started again and drove it around the block. After I cut the car off, I tried to start it again and got nothing.
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My question is, what am I doing wrong? Should I have left the cables on the batt for a period of time?

 

First, test the battery to see if it has a charge. If it doesnt, charge it up and then see how long it will last. If it only last a little bit, it could mean a weak alternator. But seeing as tho you got nothing when trying to start it, it could also be a starter related problem. Take it to carx and ask them to do a starter draw test and also test ur alternator. Im sure 1 of these 2 are the culprit if it isnt the battery.

 

When you buy a new battery, it comes fully charged. You shouldn't need to attach cables to get the car started.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RIP Indian Larry &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First, test the battery to see if it has a charge. If it doesnt, charge it up and then see how long it will last. If it only last a little bit, it could mean a weak alternator. But seeing as tho you got nothing when trying to start it, it could also be a starter related problem. Take it to carx and ask them to do a starter draw test and also test ur alternator. Im sure 1 of these 2 are the culprit if it isnt the battery.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If it's the starter, then why does it start when I jump it?
Thanks for the help, I'm getting it checked out today.

 

If your battery is not holding a charge, it is big possibility that your alternator is no good. I would replace the alternator.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kiniku Chunks!!! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your battery is not holding a charge, it is big possibility that your alternator is no good. I would replace the alternator. </TD></TR></TABLE>
That was my first thought, but the new battery should have started the car right away.
I have it in the shop right now, but I'm thinking maybe the starter, or even a faulty cable or something.

 

it turns out it was the alternator!
It was putting out real low power at idle and way too much when you gave it gas, so it burnt both batteries.

 

If you need another battery, I shopped around recently for one for my Integra, and found that the best price by far was at Costco, $37 for a battery with a 100-month warranty. It beat everyone else (even Sam's Club) by at least $15-20 or more. The Costco battery is labeled as their Kirkland house brand and is made by Johnson Controls, one of the largest battery manufacturers in the world.

I got some good installation tips here.

 

I'm having a similar problem.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kiniku Chunks!!! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your battery is not holding a charge, it is big possibility that your alternator is no good. I would replace the alternator. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That looks like a bitch to do. Is it as bad as it looks?