I Hate Car Batteries

[big col]

Been having battery troubles ever since I bought my R33. I had issues with the first battery (wouldn't start after a few days of not using the car), so I installed a new battery about 3-4 months ago. Now the new battery is just starting to do the same even though I drive the car at least two times a week. Infact, the first time the new battery wouldn't start was the day after having used the car for a good two hours. All the interior/exterior lights, radio, alarm, etc still work it's just that there doesn't seem to be enough juice left to start the car. It will start fine with a jump start, then after a drive start again on its own but the next day I have to jump start it again.

I'm baffled as to what the problem is, because since getting the new battery it's started up every time without a problem for over 3 months which would lead me to believe that it isnt a problem with the alternator, start motor or the battery. So I'm thinking there must be something very slowly draining the battery, and that the battery is at a low charge now as a result so that's why it is dying so often, even after jump starting and driving for a while. Is there any relatively easy way to find out what is causing the battery to drain without knowing much about electronics? I'm going to buy a battery charger tomorrow and hope that fixes the problem for a few months, but it would be good to get the problem permanently fixed.

I swear I have the worst luck with car batteries, my old car's battery did the same thing although after the second battery I found out it was the stereo headunit causing the problem so I just took that out to fix it.

[predator]

My problem turned out to be starter.. Found this out after installing a brand new battery..

Basically I think a stuffed started drains a lot more current that it should to turn over. But you will need to investigate alternator and any other current drain as well.

[sh@un]

you may have some sort of drain to earth through some aftermarket installed component.

[Adriano]

Measure the battery voltage 10 mins after you get home after a drive, then a few days later brfore you go to drive it, battery voltage should be almost the same, if not try it again with all the fuses pulled out and see if the problem disappears, sound like something is draining the battery, and you may also need your starter reco'd. as when the brushes wear, they draw heaps more current on startup, if its got over 150,000, its probably due to have the starter/alternator freashened anyway, as they are over 10 yrs old now.

[big col]

Well I recharged the battery, it started up fine the first time then I went to start it about 30 mins later and it struggled to start. Left it overnight and it wouldn't start up, it was trying to crank for a second or two but then I just got the fast clicking noise. So I recharged the battery again and it wouldnt even start up the first time, engine sounded like it was trying to crank, failed, then fast clicking noise. If I try to start it again it doesn't even try to crank, just the fast clicking noise.

I don't have a multimeter to measure the battery unfortunately Seems like a starter motor problem to me, I think I'm just going to have to shell out $$$ I don't have to get an auto electrician to come out and fix the problem.

Edited April 26, 2007 by big col

[predator]

yup.. starter motor jams on flywheel.. won't turn over, no matter how much current it draws. This is exactly what mine was doing.

I just bought a 2nd hand starter off somebody on here for $120. You can also get yours rebuilt by a few places. You can replace the starter motor yourself in about an hour. It is a simple job - don't be too stressed.