car wont start, possible battery problem

fl4pj4ck · 30-01-2013 12:11am #1

today morning my car didn't start, I turned the ignition only to see lights coming up for a moment and then going down. tried few times and nothing, it looks like the battery doesn't have enough juice
it's a 2001 Avensis that I bought like 2 months ago, don't really know how old is the battery, is there any chance that something else than battery may be broken? don't want to buy a new one just to realize that was something else's fault

I've a digital multimeter if that's any good, towing it to a mechanic/electric is out of the question at the moment

30-01-2013 12:13am

I'd say tis the battery alright, unless theres a drain on it.

drunkmonkey · 30-01-2013 12:13am

Can you give it a push and start it in second gear, take it for a spin to recharge the battery.

fl4pj4ck · 30-01-2013 12:14am

tried that @drunkenmonkey few days ago, helped for a while

30-01-2013 12:15am

If the dash lights aren't being supplied with enough current its unlikely to start with a push.

fl4pj4ck · 30-01-2013 10:34am

it did work once, however now I'm looking for a permanent solution

CJhaughey · 30-01-2013 11:01am

fl4pj4ck wrote: »

it did work once, however now I'm looking for a permanent solution

New battery is the best solution, while you are there get the battery supplier to load test your old one first.
If they are anyway reasonable they will have a tester there.

listermint · 30-01-2013 11:06am

fl4pj4ck wrote: »

it did work once, however now I'm looking for a permanent solution

Buy a battery. People really under estimate what effect an old battery can have. Simple fix.

blastman · 30-01-2013 11:12am

If you have a meter, disconnect the battery and measure the voltage across it, for starters. It should be between 12 and 14 volts. If not then that's the problem. If it's being charged when the car is driven (which you said it was) but not holding the power, then replacing the battery should be all that is required.

30-01-2013 11:25am

Needs to be loadtested, voltage reading from a meter across a disconnected battery will provide zero info, also the battery is flat as a pancake at the moment.

fl4pj4ck · 30-01-2013 2:52pm

changed the battery and car started first time, now I need to check if it's charging, thanks all for the advice

visual · 30-01-2013 11:47pm

You can use you meter to test if charging
13.5 to 14.5 volts is charging

Any lower than 13.4 and your alternator would be suspect.

fl4pj4ck · 31-01-2013 12:13am

ha! believe it or not, but I've read about this just few hours ago, gonna try it tomorrow, but thanks anyway!

car wont start, possible battery problem

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