Female needs car help!

mwhit · #21 11/15/06, 10:14 AM

Most garages will test the battery for you and see if it is any good and they usually do it for free. It could also be the battery cables-- I've seen that happen too.

mwhit · #22 11/15/06, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

I've had batteries go bad in as little as a year (K-mart was notorious for that). If it is the battery you might want to get one with a higher cold cranking amp rating. We had a low powered battery in one of our cars and it just wasn't enough power to start the car when the temps dropped below freezing.

I recommend a good Deka battery. I had one that lasted over 6 years. Survived through leaving my lights on, starting at -30 and thousands of miles. I used it in 3 different cars and it was used when I got it (it was in a car I bought). It's the only kind I buy now-- they run about $75 but well worth it!

lilsassafrass · #23 11/15/06, 02:57 PM

After cleaning the terminals and cable ends as you said you did , I agree with teh others that your battery has probably reached the end of its life.
Again most garages and parts stores will test your battery for no cost .. and at 3 years old its a good bet that's what's wrong .. but you can also have them test your alternator (while still on the vehical )... that though will not tell you if the regulator or diodes are bad .. jsut that is or is not charging .. you have to actually take it off and have them bench test it to tell anything further .. most Napa stores will do that at no cost as well .... an alternator should put out 14 and no higher than 15.5 volts and they can tell you if it needs replaces (and be glad to sell you on e as well

Again as others said .. it is worth it to buy a battery with the highest cold cranking amps that you can afford .

Paula
Hyde Park Farm and half owner of Hyde's Automitive .. your friendly neighborhood Napa Dealer...

painterswife · #24 11/15/06, 04:11 PM

I put a new battery in and it fired right up! Thanks for all the input!