Absolutely almost dead battery

[Duff]

We are still setting up our new used ninety five Legend wagon.

Didn't drive it for two days and went to start it and it barely turned over like one turn and started right up. Unbelievable. Great running car. However, I immediately noticed the check engine light on.

Is this somehow related to the absolutely almost dead battery? I have never noticed the check engine light come on with a dead battery on any of my other vehicles.

Definitely new battery time. The car runs and charges and restarts but the old leaking battery disipates as it sits, I am assuming, unless there is a short somewhere else draining it down, which I doubt. The battery is old, leaking, and looks like it needs replacing.

Also, I have not seen a battery light come on, ever. No indication of a bad battery on the gauge panel. I'm thinking that the sensor monitors alternator function and that it sees the alternator putting out within the specified parameters so it doesn't activate the battery light or charging system light or whatever it has for a dummy light to indicate a bad alternator or bad battery.

So, I'm thinking there is no other electrical charging problem and that the battery is just not holding the charge that a properly functioning alternator is putting out to it.

Any ideas on this that I should know about? I'm thinking of going to Sam's Club tomorrow and having an Energizer installed and they will check my electrical system for free. Three year full guarantee on the battery and free installation.

This seems like a great car and runs great. I am hoping, like I suppose every new owner is, that I haven't gotten a lemon. The car needs a battery, I know that. But I still worry, probably too much. I want to get this car running nice and dependably. What are my chances? It seems very sound.

Duff
Winfield, Pa.
mjbolduc@dejazzd.com

[Huffer]

How do you know the battery is going bad? Did you use a voltmeter?
Also - if the CEL is illuminated, just pull the code and see what the problem is - don't assume.

[Duff]

I can use my voltmeter.

The battery is dead after sitting two days. I can check it with my voltmeter. When? After the car has charged it for a short ride, or after having it on the charger for a period of time?

How do I pull a CEL code? Do I have to go to Autozone or does the car have a self diagnostic system?

Thanks,

Duff

[Monkhouse]

Before you buy a battery, shop around. Almost every place will check your battery and charging system for free. My reccomendation for batteries is always gonna be Sears. The warranty and cold cranking amps on a diehard outshine any other brand dollar for dollar.

Just my .02

[Huffer]

I can use my voltmeter.

The battery is dead after sitting two days. I can check it with my voltmeter. When? After the car has charged it for a short ride, or after having it on the charger for a period of time?

How do I pull a CEL code? Do I have to go to Autozone or does the car have a self diagnostic system?


My point is - how do you KNOW the battery is dead after sitting for two days?
In your original post you said:


Didn't drive it for two days and went to start it and it barely turned over like one turn and started right up. Unbelievable. Great running car. However, I immediately noticed the check engine light on.

If a battery is dead, then it won't have enough charge to fire the plugs and crank the engine. Most decent engines don't take 3-4 cranks to fire.

CEL code - take it to Autozone to have them pull the code, AND do a free battery test.

[shazapple]

Get someone to hold the voltmeter on the battery while you are starting the car.

when the car is not running, it should read around 11 or 12 volts. When it is running it should read around 14 volts. While you are starting it the battery should stay around 9 or 10 volts (if it is really low then your battery is probably toast)