aite, here's the situation. my battery keeps dying on me and i don't know why. i have a battery charger and i can charge the battery and it'll last me a day or two (probably like 20 starts). then the battery dies, it doesn't die all the way though, the engine light, srs lights, door light, etc still come on when you put the key in on. but there isn't enough energy to crank the motor (you can hear the lil hum/buz/tick noise though). i have a battery jumper pack and when i hook it up it starts easily (so i don't think the starter is the problem). but if my alternator is bad wouldn't the car kindda die while i'm driving? i hooked up a volt meter and it jumps between 11.85 to 11.99, jus goes back and forth, doesn't that mean the alternator works? otherwise it would jus keep dropping right? any help is highly appreciated, i'm getting pissed!

 

hmm, first thing i would think it could be is the alternator, since it's what keep the battery charged. in my last car, when the alternator went out and the battery drained while i was driving the car just died.

so i still think alternator...anyone else got an opinion?

 

Check the connection between the altenator and the battery.

 

that happened to me and I just bought a new battery. Havent had a problem since.

 

Not to make you feel like a noob, but make sure your battery terminals are clean and the connections are tight.

BTW, how old is your battery? If it's 7+ years old, it's on its way out and will need to be replaced.

 

the first thing you need to do is bring the battery back to where you bought it, or just go to pep boys and have them test it. if the battery is not faulty, then you can go ahead with the other troubleshooting. for the alternator, start the car and unplug the negative. if the car doesnt die, the alternator should be ok.

 

Like most batteries it may have some sort of memory. Did you wear it down to the point that it died at some point and recharged it only enough to drive it or for a very short period of time? Because if you discharge it through use and don't charge it fully it may not completely charge ever again thus giving you short battery life. Although that may a bit far fetched with your situation depending on how long you have had the battery.

 

Sounds like an alternator...get a VAC-45 done at the shop. It'll tell you a lot with the test...

 

Dont forget to ground that battery to the chassis, some people forget this.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MugenGTR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... i hooked up a volt meter and it jumps between 11.85 to 11.99, jus goes back and forth, doesn't that mean the alternator works? ...</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, it needs to be up around 14.5 or so when the engine's running. What does the voltage do when you run the engine at, maybe, 3000rpm?

Make sure you check ALL grounds like other people said.

Sounds like the alternator, or the voltage regulator which is built into the alternator. I'd get the alternator checked, more than the battery. If the battery were bad, it wouldn't let you drive for the day. Places like AutoZone can probably check your battery & alternator both, but it sounds like alternator to me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimBlake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If the battery were bad, it wouldn't let you drive for the day.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

it definitely could, which is why you need to get it fully tested.

 

Sounds like an alternator problem

 

alternator... check to see if the interior lights go dim while driving as well...

do you have an aftermarket stereo installed? AMPS will drain the electrical system if its not done right.

 

make sure it isnt shorting out on the firewall, it happened to me before with similar problems

 

used my voltmeter on the battery and it read 11.9+ if it was the alternator it would be bouncy. i doubt its the alternator or battery. perhaps the starter?

 

might have a short somewhere..

 

Isn't there somewhere you can take your car, and they will do a free battery test as well as get the vitals from your alternator too? Sears? Pepboys?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WiggiE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Isn't there somewhere you can take your car, and they will do a free battery test as well as get the vitals from your alternator too? Sears? Pepboys?</TD></TR></TABLE>

pepboys, but it takes a while...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FrostWhiteDC4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">pepboys, but it takes a while...</TD></TR></TABLE>
How long is a while? Either way it's free and a good way to diag your car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WiggiE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
How long is a while? Either way it's free and a good way to diag your car.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea its worth it, but not many people want to sit there for liek 1-2 hours while they check ur car.

 

happened to my car about a few months ago too...... same EXACT situation as you.... i replaced the battery and it's fine. does your battery require maintenance? if so....better fill it up with water then....

 

batteries don't last forever... think about 5 years and if its bouncing around more than ever less... just replace it!

 

I've been in the EXACT situation as you. I can assume a few things and not make an *** about myself:

- You mentioned your battery can be charged and it will last but only awhile...the reason is because you DON'T drive enough for long periods of time to fully recharge the battery.....however
- Even when the battery is fully recharged, it doesn't quite charge up as much since it's probably a very old battery.
- Headlights, accessories, everything will light up, car will crank but not fire.
- Your battery drains within minutes of the car not running when using your radio or leaving your lights on for a moment.
- At most times when the car will start---the cranking process is very difficult for your car like its hesitating.

If most of these symptoms apply to you...
It is not your starter or your alternator.
SOLUTION: REPLACE your battery ASAP.

Charging the battery to what might seem like a full charge is a temporary solution to your problem.

cheers
NRG

 

anybody know of a good battery to use, like one to use with an after market stereo or a deep cycle one?

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=504622