Battery Problem

[PabloMike]

Today I went to start my Ex when I left my apartment around 8 am it was fine, it started like any other day. After getting out of class at 1 pm I went to start it and the battery seemed to be depleted (it had enough juice to power the radio, lights, etc. but not start the vehicle) I got a jump start from a friend and after that the car started normally the other 4 times i started it today.

My friend told me he thought it was a faulty terminal cable, but I don't think that could be it.

Any suggestions as to what might be wrong.

 

[gamecocks]

maybe time for a new battery....? what part of el paso you in?

 

[PabloMike]

Yeah, that's what I thought. I'm on the Westside of El Paso.

 

[imp]

Today I went to start my Ex when I left my apartment around 8 am it was fine, it started like any other day. After getting out of class at 1 pm I went to start it and the battery seemed to be depleted (it had enough juice to power the radio, lights, etc. but not start the vehicle) I got a jump start from a friend and after that the car started normally the other 4 times i started it today.

My friend told me he thought it was a faulty terminal cable, but I don't think that could be it.

Any suggestions as to what might be wrong.

A corroded connection at the battery, either terminal, CAN often cause "no-start" problems, while still allowing operation of small-current accessories like lights or radio. Removal and inspection of the parts of the terminals that contact the battery posts usually will reveal darkened, burnt-looking appearance, rather than shiny-clean metal. If burnt, clean 'em out with anything capable of scraping the metal to bare appearance, then re-tighten them. If problem remains, check battery cells individually with a battery hydrometer, available at any parts store for a few bucks.

The hydrometer will reveal whether any cell, or cells, of the battery, are bad. If only one cell checks bad, the rest OK, you will be getting a new battery! imp

 

[PabloMike]

I checked the cables afterward, and nothing, Next time it happens i'm gonna get a new battery, the current one has been in the vehicle since before I bought it [The Explorer] 2 years ago

 

[02XLS4WD]

My alternator just crapped out on Tuesday - of course on the E way which required a tow to the dealer
So, check that as well as your battery.

 

[D Hook]

I checked the cables afterward, and nothing, Next time it happens i'm gonna get a new battery, the current one has been in the vehicle since before I bought it [The Explorer] 2 years ago

Did you take them off the battery and clean them? I've never had very good luck with just a visual inspection without removing them and taking a wire brush to them. Sometimes the corrosion can be hiding from view.

I would start there. Cheaper than a new battery. Unless the current one is covered by warranty.

 

[imp]

Take Them Off!

Did you take them off the battery and clean them? I've never had very good luck with just a visual inspection without removing them and taking a wire brush to them. Sometimes the corrosion can be hiding from view. You absolutely must remove the terminals (which are attached to the cables), as cleaning the outside surfaces will do nothing to aid current flow. The current passes through the area between the battery POST and the terminal which clamps around it. Clean both the round inside surface of the terminals, as well as the curved surface of the posts on the battery. imp

I would start there. Cheaper than a new battery. Unless the current one is covered by warranty.

 

[Exproblems]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Today I went to start my Ex when I left my apartment around 8 am it was fine, it started like any other day. After getting out of class at 1 pm I went to start it and the battery seemed to be depleted (it had enough juice to power the radio, lights, etc. but not start the vehicle) I got a jump start from a friend and after that the car started normally the other 4 times i started it today.

My friend told me he thought it was a faulty terminal cable, but I don't think that could be it.

Any suggestions as to what might be wrong.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Take your vehicle to your local auto parts store and have them do a battery test on your battery to see if it has a bad cell. Most places do this for free right in their parking lot. If you need a new battery, they will install it for free as well. Also, clean up your battery terminals as others had mentioned in here and buy a can of battery corrosion protector that you spray on to both battery terminals to protect from further corrosion issues if any. Don't spray the battery post directly until after you have connected the battery terminals to them and tightened them down. You want to spray the external parts of the terminal connection, not where the connection is made between the post and terminal themselves.