Car battery problems. Yes, more car problems. Yay!

[Tgo01]

I used my key fob to unlock my car door and that worked just fine. I then tried to start the car and nothing, absolutely nothing. Lights don't work, power door locks don't work, the key fob doesn't even work anymore to lock and unlock the doors. I called a neighbor over for a jump but that didn't do anything, still can't even turn the lights on and the instrument cluster doesn't illuminate at all.

The car has been sitting outside all winter and while I do drive most days I don't usually go too far. I drove it yesterday for about 10 miles to the store then another 10 miles back. Is it possible it's something as simple as a dead battery? It just seems odd that the battery suddenly died like that, it had enough juice to operate the trunk and the power locks remotely but then after that completely dead, can't even juice it up enough via a jump to turn the lights on?

Just wondering if I should save the money by skipping a new battery if it's something else altogether.

[Allereli]

Is it a Saab? My sister went through this recently, had to tow the car to the shop and get all of the electronics replaced.

[Tgo01]

Is it a Saab? My sister went through this recently, had to tow the car to the shop and get all of the electronics replaced.

It's a Hyundai Sonata. I was worried it might be more than just a simple battery replacement.

[Taernath]

If it doesn't even try to turn over the battery is dead. How old is it?

[Tgo01]

If it doesn't even try to turn over the battery is dead. How old is it?

Both the car and battery are about 3.5 years old. Well, I'm assuming they put a new battery in the car anyways.

[Taernath]

Both the car and battery are about 3.5 years old. Well, I'm assuming they put a new battery in the car anyways.

That's about how long my last battery lasted. I live in Phoenix and the car was stored outside, so the heat probably reduced the lifetime. If you're someplace cold the same thing could happen. If you want to be absolutely sure, get a multimeter to test the current and check the water.

[Astray]

Why does everything you own suck?

[Tgo01]

If you're someplace cold the same thing could happen.

Normally I have the car in the garage but this is the first winter I've had the car parked outside and it's been in the negatives a few days so far and the past few days have been about 25 degrees or less. I'm not sure how much it helps having the car parked in an unheated garage compared to outside but I bet it helps at least a little.

Also most of the time I'm only driving 10 or 15 miles at once, typically about 10 miles to my destination, do my thing, then 10 miles back. This probably didn't help my battery.


Why does everything you own suck?

Because God hates me for being an agnostic :(

[Astray]

Because God hates me for being an agnostic :(

Just be an atheist, so you can blame Karma like a normal person.

[Soulance]

Battery is fairly old and should be replaced. Cold weather sucks for batteries as well - and the fact that you barely drive it, probably blasting the heat and rear defrost, and whatever else, it doesn't get a chance to charge at all.

[Soulance]

Could also be a bad ground. When you did the jump, did he connect it to the negative terminal or a spot on the car/engine.

[Tgo01]

Could also be a bad ground. When you did the jump, did he connect it to the negative terminal or a spot on the car/engine.

The cables were connected to the proper terminals on both cars. After trying for a few minutes he then took both cables off of his battery and touched them together to see if they would spark and they did. Not sure if he should have done that but nothing I can do about that now. That kind of made me wonder if it was something else though because it did produce a spark so it must have some juice in it, but I suppose it could be a very small amount of juice that isn't enough to power anything in the car.

[Tgo01]

I guess either way for a battery that's almost 4 years old I should probably go ahead and replace it anyways.

[Vusit]

I would start with the battery before moving on to freak out mode.

[BigWorm]

Lol very similar thing happened to me tonight. Seems like a dead battery as some panel stuff powers on and overhead lights are on but dim. Tried to jump from my wife's car but seems like it is even deader now. Gonna try again in the morning when I have better light to work with. I am about to go out of town for work for a week though so yolo.

[BriarFox]

Most auto parts stores have a battery test and charge terminal. Take the battery out and take it over.

[drauz]

Did you make sure the terminals didn't get loose?

[Soulance]

The cables were connected to the proper terminals on both cars. After trying for a few minutes he then took both cables off of his battery and touched them together to see if they would spark and they did. Not sure if he should have done that but nothing I can do about that now. That kind of made me wonder if it was something else though because it did produce a spark so it must have some juice in it, but I suppose it could be a very small amount of juice that isn't enough to power anything in the car.
You do know that "the proper terminals" are the posts on his car and the positive on yours with the negative grounded to the frame and NOT your negative terminal.

But, most people do it terminal to terminal. It might have some juice still left in it for a spark but a cold battery just doesn't have the same charge as a warmer one.

Once you get a new battery, double check your alternator as well just in case.

Surprisingly, I think Walmart ones were near the top of the list. I'm an Interatate guy though but helps I get a discount. Bring it in for the core charge.

[Soulance]

The cables were connected to the proper terminals on both cars. After trying for a few minutes he then took both cables off of his battery and touched them together to see if they would spark and they did. Not sure if he should have done that but nothing I can do about that now. That kind of made me wonder if it was something else though because it did produce a spark so it must have some juice in it, but I suppose it could be a very small amount of juice that isn't enough to power anything in the car.
Oh, and if it was really dead, might have to let it charge for awhile before trying it out. Plus, the connections or battery cable might not have been good/good connection.

[Warriorbird]

Why does everything you own suck?

He bought a Hyundai. He should just replace the battery.

[Soulance]

He bought a Hyundai. He should just replace the battery.
Would have been funnier if you'd have said he should just replace the Hyundai.

[Warriorbird]

Would have been funnier if you'd have said he should just replace the Hyundai.

It would've. I've learned to be more polite to the people in the "car as appliance" category though.

[Methais]

I used my key fob to unlock my car door and that worked just fine. I then tried to start the car and nothing, absolutely nothing. Lights don't work, power door locks don't work, the key fob doesn't even work anymore to lock and unlock the doors. I called a neighbor over for a jump but that didn't do anything, still can't even turn the lights on and the instrument cluster doesn't illuminate at all.

The car has been sitting outside all winter and while I do drive most days I don't usually go too far. I drove it yesterday for about 10 miles to the store then another 10 miles back. Is it possible it's something as simple as a dead battery? It just seems odd that the battery suddenly died like that, it had enough juice to operate the trunk and the power locks remotely but then after that completely dead, can't even juice it up enough via a jump to turn the lights on?

Just wondering if I should save the money by skipping a new battery if it's something else altogether.

Thanks Estild!

[Latrinsorm]

Are you sure you had the clutch in?
The cables were connected to the proper terminals on both cars. After trying for a few minutes he then took both cables off of his battery and touched them together to see if they would spark and they did. Not sure if he should have done that but nothing I can do about that now. That kind of made me wonder if it was something else though because it did produce a spark so it must have some juice in it, but I suppose it could be a very small amount of juice that isn't enough to power anything in the car.Some batteries aren't supposed to be jumped from both terminals. Think of it this way, if you're making a circuit then something must be flowing out of your battery.

[Soulance]

So? What happened??

[Tgo01]

So? What happened??

Had it towed to the dealership just in case it was something more serious so they could fix it at the same time, also the car is still under warranty so they will tow it to the nearest dealership for free

The dealership said one of the cables on the battery came loose but they tested the battery too and said it was very low so it should be replaced anyways. They prorated the cost of a new battery since the old one still had some juice in it. All together they charged me 65 dollars, which I thought was more than reasonable since I'm pretty sure a new battery is 100+, unless they used a really cheap brand or something.

[drauz]

Had it towed to the dealership just in case it was something more serious so they could fix it at the same time, also the car is still under warranty so they will tow it to the nearest dealership for free

The dealership said one of the cables on the battery came loose but they tested the battery too and said it was very low so it should be replaced anyways. They prorated the cost of a new battery since the old one still had some juice in it. All together they charged me 65 dollars, which I thought was more than reasonable since I'm pretty sure a new battery is 100+, unless they used a really cheap brand or something.

I guessed right!

[Enuch]

If you do plan to have the car sit around for decent stretchs of time as someone that has a mustang taking up space in his yard you will help the life of the vehicle by taking it out of your car, leaving unconnected and having a battery pack to charge it. Your battery will just slowly drain and if you have it not being used for a season at a time even with new batteries it will take a toll sooner than later, so having a battery pack to charge it and also leaving it disconnected could prolong its life a little bit.