won't start
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won't start
99 civic, 100 month battery is less than 48 months old, system is charging at 14.5 volts, battery takes a charge, 12.5 volts when off. Is there a way i can check to see if something is draining it or just replace the battery and hope?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Re: won't start
Car won't start:
Need more info. What does it do or not do? You have to be our eyes and ears.
Do you only hear a single loud CLICK from the engine compartment? Clean battery cables, check and clean connections, TAP on the starter.
Does the starter try to crank the engine? What is the battery volts WHILE you try to crank the engine?
(Manual trans? You could push start it.)
Does the starter crank the engine really good but the engine won't run? Check for spark and fuel. Check for engine codes.
100 month...Sounds like Hondas brand of battery, swing by your dealer and have them check it. Should be free and takes about 30 seconds to do with their little hand held tester. Or any big parts store would probably check it.
Need more info. What does it do or not do? You have to be our eyes and ears.
Do you only hear a single loud CLICK from the engine compartment? Clean battery cables, check and clean connections, TAP on the starter.
Does the starter try to crank the engine? What is the battery volts WHILE you try to crank the engine?
(Manual trans? You could push start it.)
Does the starter crank the engine really good but the engine won't run? Check for spark and fuel. Check for engine codes.
100 month...Sounds like Hondas brand of battery, swing by your dealer and have them check it. Should be free and takes about 30 seconds to do with their little hand held tester. Or any big parts store would probably check it.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Re: won't start
Soooo, I'm guessing it acts like something killed the battery overnight? Or maybe a few hours? Several minutes? Help me out here, I'm not a mind reader and I can't see the car.
Idea: Charge the battery up as before when it would start.
Disconnect the battery NEG cable and leave it to sit overnight, see if it will start the car in the morning after you reconnect the cable. IF it will start, then something in the car is draining it.
IF it acts dead again after being disconnected overnight, the battery is bad.
Does that help?
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Sorry again, it used to take several days before it wouldn't have power to crank over, now it sits overnight and won't crank, iv'e never had a battery die like this? if thats the problem?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Re: won't start
A sulfated battery can discharge quickly by itself. So that's a "yes it is possible".
Ok then, so it is either the battery itself, or the car. Here's what I would do to figure it out without a lot of work:
Charge the battery so you know it should start the car, but don't start it.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Leave it off overnight.
In the morning, reconnect the cable and see if the car starts. If the battery acts dead, the battery is bad. Replace it. Simple.
If the car starts, then there is something in the car that has been draining the battery overnight.
More diagnosis is needed to find the cause.
(hint: got subs? Unhook the fat amp cable or fuse from the battery, then check overnight.)
A true genius admits that he/she knows nothing.....CLOSED SAT/SUN
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: East Coast
Rep Power: 188 Re: won't start
This diagram was created by a regular mech online as a standard guide on how to trouble shoot for people who dont know what to look for..it does not cover everything and not all things will apply..it serves as a guide for the novice..
I like Ezones version too LOL..
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