Car won't start

SailinAway · 10-17-2021, 04:02 PM

Remote won't open doors, won't start car. Spare remote also doesn't work. No click when key turns in ignition. No lights or other sign of life. Everything seems dead. Any idea what the trouble could be? This is keyed, not keyless ignition. Thank you!

TheTimeTraveler · 10-17-2021, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailinAway

Remote won't open doors, won't start car. Spare remote also doesn't work. No click when key turns in ignition. No lights or other sign of life. Everything seems dead. Any idea what the trouble could be? This is keyed, not keyless ignition. Thank you!

Sounds like you need a brand new battery.

Better yet, you better hope it's a battery because that's a cheap fix!

SailinAway · 10-17-2021, 04:58 PM

I just put the charger on the battery for 30 minutes. The engine turned over a bit so it looks like the key is fine.

The charger read about 10 volts when I first hooked it up. Seems like it should have started with 10 volts??

LikeLakes · 10-17-2021, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailinAway

I just put the charger on the battery for 30 minutes. The engine turned over a bit so it looks like the key is fine.

The charger read about 10 amps when I first hooked it up. Seems like it should have started with 10 amps??

What output is the charger? If it's a 10 amp charger, and the battery is dead, it will slowly ramp up to 10 amps and stay there until the battery is getting close to charged. But a 10 amp charger isn't a car starter, not nearly enough power to start a car, it's meant to charge the battery. So no, the 10 amp charger output isn't enough to start any car.

The question is why was the battery dead? When was the last time the car was run? Was something left on that would drain the battery (harder to do in newer cars).

SailinAway · 10-17-2021, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeLakes

What output is the charger? If it's a 10 amp charger, and the battery is dead, it will slowly ramp up to 10 amps and stay there until the battery is getting close to charged. But a 10 amp charger isn't a car starter, not nearly enough power to start a car, it's meant to charge the battery. So no, the 10 amp charger output isn't enough to start any car.

The question is why was the battery dead? When was the last time the car was run? Was something left on that would drain the battery (harder to do in newer cars).

It's a 10 amp charger. Last time I drove was to Hampton and back on Friday with no problems. The interior lights shut off automatically if they're left on.

Used car was purchased two years ago with 68,000 miles, now has 85,000. The battery was not new when I bought the car, so it could be 3 or more years old.

fatlazyless · 10-17-2021, 06:31 PM

A 10-amp battery charger may not have enough power to start the car when hooked up at first, but let it charge for 30-60 minutes and the battery powers up to 12.5 volts or so, enough to make it start.

For cars with a manual transmission, let the car be pushed or rolled down a convenient slight downhill slope, and slowly let the clutch out in second gear, with the ignition in the run position, and it will make the engine turn over and start it up, just like magic!

Sorry, doesn't do it with an automatic transmission ....... too bad!

SailinAway · 10-17-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

A 10-amp battery charger may not have enough power to start the car when hooked up at first, but let it charge for 30-60 minutes and the battery powers up to 12.5 volts or so, enough to make it start.

Sorry, my error---I meant to say that when I first put the charger on the battery, the needle read "10 volts." My understanding is that a car should start on 10 volts, before the charger light turns green at full charge, and that was my experience with my previous car.

It's charging for two hours and it still reads 10 volts.

SailinAway · 10-17-2021, 06:41 PM

I'm looking for a new battery online. Not coming up with much other than DuraLast at AutoZone.

Will AutoZone install the battery if I can get the car to them? (Years ago the Franklin AutoZone made house calls, but they don't do that anymore.)

. . . assuming that the problem is actually the battery and not the alternator.

LikeLakes · 10-17-2021, 06:44 PM

A battery reading anything less than 12 volts is either completely dead or has a bad cell. Don't use voltage as an indicator of whether a battery will start a car or not.

I'd strongly recommend buying a new battery. It is the most likely problem and if you replace the battery and find you have further problems, probably with the alternator, then you still have a fresh new battery and won't have to think about that component for years.

LikeLakes · 10-17-2021, 06:46 PM

I believe Autozone will help with battery install, if fairly straightforward. 95% of cars are extremely easy, but a few brands/models put batteries in ridiculous places.

8gv · 10-17-2021, 07:10 PM

I hope it works out for you.

BTW...

Some cars with fobs have an entry key hidden within the fob.

That helps you get access to the inside hood release to change a dead battery.

TheTimeTraveler · 10-17-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeLakes

I believe Autozone will help with battery install, if fairly straightforward. 95% of cars are extremely easy, but a few brands/models put batteries in ridiculous places.

Yes, I totally agree with this having experienced it many, many years ago.

I had a 1956 Lincoln Premiere, and believe it or not the battery was located behind the foot area where the front seat passenger placed their feet. Imagine how difficult it was when I needed to use a trickle charger or get a jump....

Though I will say it was a 12 volt system. Up until about then many vehicles used a 6 volt battery.

BroadHopper · 10-17-2021, 07:31 PM

Any battery fully charged should show 12+ volts, almost 13 volts. After a full charge, it should not be 10 volts, the battery is dead. You can check the fluid level if the fluids are below the plates it's bad.

Check the owner's manual for the correct size and amperage of the battery. The car is used so it may not have the correct battery. Also, check the manual and see if there is an auxiliary battery for electronics. Brand new cars have them.

Once the battery is replaced or checked out to be good. Have your mechanic check out the charging system. It may or may not be charging properly. I've seen bad charging that does not trip a CEL.

Good luck!

SailinAway · 10-17-2021, 08:29 PM

Thanks to all for your input. Much appreciated!

VitaBene · 10-18-2021, 09:24 AM

AAA will come to you and install a new battery if you are a member

ITD · 10-18-2021, 09:33 AM

Dead battery, 10volts is not enough potential for a newer car. I would disconnect the battery, leave it on the charger for a day, disconnect it for an hour, then check the voltage. If it is below 12.5V at that point, I'd just get a new one. In fact, personally, since you don't know how old it is, I'd just go get a new one. Bring the old one with you, the car parts store will take it.

Hopefully it's just an old battery issue, if not you'll know pretty quickly.

SailinAway · 10-18-2021, 10:08 AM

Update: I left the battery on the charger for 3 hours last night and was able to start the car last night and this morning. I guess I should go to AutoZone and ask them to test it and probably replace the battery.

Any thoughts on the Duralast Gold, $180?
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...cca/832330_0_0

LikeLakes · 10-18-2021, 10:19 AM

I've used a lot of Duralast Gold's over the years, with good results. But, for me the prices have gotten out of hand on them. I'd suggest going to Walmart and looking at Everstart Maxx batteries, I don't know what car you have or what battery you are looking for but I bet you get something equivalent to the Duralast for $130 or so.

Literally the only things I buy at Walmart are car/boat batteries and motor oil.

8gv · 10-18-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeLakes

I've used a lot of Duralast Gold's over the years, with good results. But, for me the prices have gotten out of hand on them. I'd suggest going to Walmart and looking at Everstart Maxx batteries, I don't know what car you have or what battery you are looking for but I bet you get something equivalent to the Duralast for $130 or so.

Literally the only things I buy at Walmart are car/boat batteries and motor oil.

I agree with the above but want to add fishing lures, paper goods, vitamins, dog food, dog treats, soap, toiletries...

10-17-2021, 04:02 PM	#1
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	Car won't start Remote won't open doors, won't start car. Spare remote also doesn't work. No click when key turns in ignition. No lights or other sign of life. Everything seems dead. Any idea what the trouble could be? This is keyed, not keyless ignition. Thank you!

10-17-2021, 04:58 PM	#3
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	I just put the charger on the battery for 30 minutes. The engine turned over a bit so it looks like the key is fine. The charger read about 10 volts when I first hooked it up. Seems like it should have started with 10 volts?? Last edited by SailinAway; 10-17-2021 at 06:36 PM. Reason: Error---changed "10 amps" to "10 volts."

10-17-2021, 06:31 PM	#6
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	A 10-amp battery charger may not have enough power to start the car when hooked up at first, but let it charge for 30-60 minutes and the battery powers up to 12.5 volts or so, enough to make it start. For cars with a manual transmission, let the car be pushed or rolled down a convenient slight downhill slope, and slowly let the clutch out in second gear, with the ignition in the run position, and it will make the engine turn over and start it up, just like magic! Sorry, doesn't do it with an automatic transmission ....... too bad! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

10-17-2021, 07:31 PM	#13
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Sounds like the battery Any battery fully charged should show 12+ volts, almost 13 volts. After a full charge, it should not be 10 volts, the battery is dead. You can check the fluid level if the fluids are below the plates it's bad. Check the owner's manual for the correct size and amperage of the battery. The car is used so it may not have the correct battery. Also, check the manual and see if there is an auxiliary battery for electronics. Brand new cars have them. Once the battery is replaced or checked out to be good. Have your mechanic check out the charging system. It may or may not be charging properly. I've seen bad charging that does not trip a CEL. Good luck! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

10-18-2021, 09:24 AM	#15
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,531 Thanks: 1,570 Thanked 1,607 Times in 822 Posts	Aaa AAA will come to you and install a new battery if you are a member

10-17-2021, 06:41 PM	#8
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	I'm looking for a new battery online. Not coming up with much other than DuraLast at AutoZone. Will AutoZone install the battery if I can get the car to them? (Years ago the Franklin AutoZone made house calls, but they don't do that anymore.) . . . assuming that the problem is actually the battery and not the alternator.

10-17-2021, 06:44 PM	#9
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	A battery reading anything less than 12 volts is either completely dead or has a bad cell. Don't use voltage as an indicator of whether a battery will start a car or not. I'd strongly recommend buying a new battery. It is the most likely problem and if you replace the battery and find you have further problems, probably with the alternator, then you still have a fresh new battery and won't have to think about that component for years.

10-17-2021, 06:46 PM	#10
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	I believe Autozone will help with battery install, if fairly straightforward. 95% of cars are extremely easy, but a few brands/models put batteries in ridiculous places.

The Following User Says Thank You to LikeLakes For This Useful Post:
TheTimeTraveler (10-17-2021)

10-17-2021, 07:10 PM	#11
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 61 Thanked 701 Times in 455 Posts	I hope it works out for you. BTW... Some cars with fobs have an entry key hidden within the fob. That helps you get access to the inside hood release to change a dead battery.

10-17-2021, 08:29 PM	#14
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	Thanks to all for your input. Much appreciated!

10-18-2021, 09:33 AM	#16
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,860 Thanks: 461 Thanked 666 Times in 366 Posts	Dead battery, 10volts is not enough potential for a newer car. I would disconnect the battery, leave it on the charger for a day, disconnect it for an hour, then check the voltage. If it is below 12.5V at that point, I'd just get a new one. In fact, personally, since you don't know how old it is, I'd just go get a new one. Bring the old one with you, the car parts store will take it. Hopefully it's just an old battery issue, if not you'll know pretty quickly.

10-18-2021, 10:08 AM	#17
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	Update: I left the battery on the charger for 3 hours last night and was able to start the car last night and this morning. I guess I should go to AutoZone and ask them to test it and probably replace the battery. Any thoughts on the Duralast Gold, $180? https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...cca/832330_0_0

10-18-2021, 10:19 AM	#18
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	I've used a lot of Duralast Gold's over the years, with good results. But, for me the prices have gotten out of hand on them. I'd suggest going to Walmart and looking at Everstart Maxx batteries, I don't know what car you have or what battery you are looking for but I bet you get something equivalent to the Duralast for $130 or so. Literally the only things I buy at Walmart are car/boat batteries and motor oil.