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Martin Vogt Posted on Dec 14, 2013

Battery dead - car will not start or be jumped started

The car ran fine at last use but when I tried to start it this morning it was dead. I tried to jump start the car and I tacking like I have a grounding issue (sparks fly). What should my next steps be?

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Gary DeCrescenzo

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  • Posted on Dec 14, 2013
Gary DeCrescenzo
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Joined: Dec 14, 2013
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Change the battery. Newer batteries sometimes go all at once, and are so dead even a jump start won't work. It has happened to me twice. Once you put in the new battery check the alt output with a volt meter should read about 14.5 volts at the battery. If it does problem solved just reset the clock, radio etc.

Testimonial: "Thank you - would the battery going out cause the sparking when connecting the jumper cables?"

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 76 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 25, 2008

SOURCE: wont start

it could be the starter sticking next time when it doesnt start try tapping the starter with a spanner.

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Anonymous

  • 6982 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 07, 2009

SOURCE: My battery keeps dying but my alternator is fine

First, DON"T check your alternator that way anymore. It's not good to do on newer systems! The best, quickest check I can tell you is to put a volt meter across the battery. Running with accessories off you should see voltage of about 13.5 to 14.5.
With all accessories and headlamps on high turned on, it should not drop below 12.5. (and that is the absolute low end!).
It sounds like something in the car is staying on. check the glovebox light and interior light delay and make sure they are OK. Otherwise, you will have to start checking entire system for a draw that's taking out the battery overnight. To check, you can pull one fuse at a time and see if draw goes away, then check system that fuse serves.

Anonymous

  • 11 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 26, 2009

SOURCE: trail blazer wont start

hi its rob sounds like ur battery needs changed when a battery is left to go flat the cells start to buckle each cell is two volts if u loose just one of these the battery will not hold its chardge.sometimes u can get intermited chardge were it will be ok one minute and the i will just dye the next

Anonymous

  • 1959 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 27, 2009

SOURCE: Stored my 1989 corvette for the winter. Just tried to start it, and the battery is dead. I jump started the car and it ran for about 7-8 minutes and then shut off. Had to re-jump and again, car won't

At first blush, sounds like corrosion on the battery cables either at the battery or at the other end at the alternator or starter. There are several sprays at the auto parts store that will clear the corrosion but the best way is to remove the cables and clean both the cable ends and the posts. Once you're able to rule out the cables/connections having the charging system checked would be next point of order but its more likely to be the cables. A car that won't run on it's own isn't getting enough power from the alternator so I'd check the negative cable first.

Anonymous

  • 921 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 30, 2010

SOURCE: I have a 2001 malibu was dead a week ago would not

the quickest way to check to see if you have a fuel pump issue...since you said it blew the fuse, is after your battery has been trickle charged for at least a good six hours to insure "max voltage"..have someone spray some starter fluid in the intake manifold while you try and crank it, if it starts right away you probably have a bad fuel pump putting out low pressure, clogged injectors, or possibly a bad "ECM", check also to insure that the battery cables are extremely clean take a wire brush to them to clean them up if you have to an make sure there secured tightly to the battery. there is also the possibility that if you have never changed the spark plugs and the car has over 90k you might want to change them out also. And one last thing to check is all the plug wires at the coil packs and terminal post, remove them one at a time and make sure there is no corrosion on both the wire clip and the terminal post. i found corrorsion on two wires and the coil post once.. i cleaned it up and it ran good, but i decided to change them all out anyway. my car had 89k and you should have seen the condition of the spark plugs, all the electrodes were half worn away..i just bought it used and i took it for granted that the plugs would have been changed out by the previous owner. hope this will help you get closer to finding a fix! if i"ve been somewhat helpful could you rate this responce thanks..we here a fix ya love feedback, it helps us keep on going. thanks!

Testimonial: "thank you im trying all this now hope it starts"

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