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My car battery died last night but then started up again. Should I get it checked out?
Last night while driving (in thick snow might I add) my car battery died. Everything flicked on and off then it just went dead. But while waiting for my father in law, I tried to start the car again and it worked. So I drove home-bout a mile away. Then later that night managed to drive it another 5 miles without it dying. My windows usually go up with just one touch of the button but since last night I have to hold the button down to make them go up. Is the battery o.k or should i take it to a garage? Please help, I don't really know anything about cars and don't wanna get ripped off by the mechanic.
I had a new alternator fitted in april this year. I couldn't be that again could it?
6 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Actually, it sounds like your battery is in good shape, and your alternator (or voltage regulator) is toast. Like, you start the car, and it runs down the battery till it dies. Then, while sitting it naturally recharges chemically, and it will keep going till the voltage gets too low again.
Locally, CSK auto (an auto parts store) will check your battery for free, and they'll check your charging system too. A battery should have about 12.5 volts just sitting there, and about 14.5 while the car is running with all the power sucking accessories on. If the voltage doesn't go up while running, the alternator/voltage regulator is probably gone.
They will check for free, because if you're getting it checked, there is something wrong, and they are going to sell you something.
On the very bright side, you might just have corroded terminals on the battery, which will be fine after a cleaning. Find a car geek you can trust to check it out.
Good luck.
Source(s): I build exotic, expensive sports cars for a living. - 1 decade ago
Sounds to me like you might have a loose ground wire by your starter. The heavy snow may have knocked it loose a little bit. It sure does not sound like a Battery problem. I have a Chevy Cavalier that is really picky when it comes to a ground wire not getting good contact.It makes everything go nuts in it.My stereo turns itself off and on and the headlight kept flickering. It also kept activating my security system. It was a pain in the behind.
- 1 decade ago
get both a new battery and a new alternator. if you are always driving in the snow on a regular basis then you may need to go to a bigger battery, just go to a parts house ( auto zone (etc) and tell them you need a new battery for your car but you want a bigger one, just go up on one size, bigger as in volts
- 1 decade ago
yeah your going to want to get it recharged or checked if it died..if it sets long enough then it can get one start out of it..go check it out car problems not good
- strt_stoneLv 51 decade ago
dear nikanos
may i sugest you go to school get and ed and fix your car your salf
Source(s): 39 years master mech in auto and diesel heavey equipment repairand shop ownerps good luck with you car ill seend you my doctors bill with exrays and radealige and a fe extra test you didnk need
