Get ready to be newbified. . .

I dont really have an extensive knowledge of electrical systems, on a car, or anywhere else in this world. So a little help wouldnt be bad

Bottom line is, if I dont say drive my car for 1 or 2 days, and I have less than a 1/4 tank of gas. It wont start. I usually just get a jump from someone, go put more gas in it, drive it around so it keeps a charge. And all is good for another period of time.

I can get radio, a/c, lights, but the thing will not start. . . Ill hear it click, and click, and click. . . but no start. As soon as I get the jump though, sure enough. So is this as simple as me just going and getting a new battery (which the one I have . . . the age of it is unknown as it was in the car when I bought it used), or perhaps is this a larger issue such as a starter or alternator problem? Thanks guys

 

I would say get a battery first.

 

Disconnect the battery for those 1 or 2 days, see if it starts then. If it still doesn't it's really the battery. If it's ok that way, you have to look for some small electrical load that doesn't turn off when you think you've turned everything off.

edit... I guess it's most likely a bad battery, but a trunk or glovebox light that never turns off is possible.



Modified by JimBlake at 3:43 PM 9/27/2004

 

Alright Ill have to try that come this week. So just disconnect it, leave it for the time period, reconnect it. . . and see if it starts. Right?

If it starts, then it is not the battery but something that is draining it of energy (so I have to find that). If it doesnt start, then. . . um. . . lol New battery?

 

first step is get a volt meter, test light next disconnect the battery and chk the volts with the meter it should read 12volts next chk the volts on the battery with the connections on and car running it should read above 13volts if any of those # are off that could be the problem also chk the battery fuse and alternator fuse. if all is well disconnect the ground cable and place the test light on the cable tip and and the other end on the batt terminal if it lights you have a grounded wire some where good luck

 

oh yeah, amount of gas you have should not have any effect to your battery what so ever.

 

true, I just wanted to state it incase this is some weird *** situation. Myself and a buddy pretty much ironed out that all I need is a new damn battery (dash lights flicker on quickly when trying to start up, etc.)

Thanks for the help gentlemen