Is my Car battery dead?

[Sky]

My wife went to start the car today after 3 days of sitting and it fired then stalled right away. She tried to turn the key again and now it just "clicks" It goes "click,click,click,click" Is this a dead battery or something else?



I just cant have my wife drive my truck another day its to stressfull

 

[B.G. Smith]

Understand the stress. Sounds like the alternator might not be working. Look at the terminals on the battery, if they are clean and tight, charge the battery, then try to start, you will need a meter to see if the alternator is working unless the car has one. With car running and headlights on bright it should level out around 13. 8 to 14. 4 volts. bg

 

[gitchesum]

Wierdest thing happened on my Mom's car.

Started it to move it out of the garage, Dad went out 20 minutes later to start it and the keyless remote wouldn't even unlock the doors the battery was so dead. No lights left on, and the alternator is fine. Got a new battery under warranty and replaced it. Like new again.

This was on a 2000 Impala

 

[Skydiver]

Regarding wifes and cars.

Wife drives a 1981 Mercedes 300D (non-turbo). When the battery gets in its 4th year of the 5 year warranty it gets replaced. Also when the tires get about half worn out they get replaced. I concider this a small price to pay for a large piece of mind.

I can always sell the used tires to my buddy at his used car lot.

Tim

 

[Fireman]

Good Possibility

I had a1500 Ram a few years ago and when the battery got weak and would barely start the truck, it would not idle. It would run if you kept the rpm up, but when you let off the gas it wouldn't put out enough juice to stay running. The click click click means you dont have enough juice to turn the starter over. Sounds like it is a high "probability" that the battery is dead. Another thing, how old is the battery ?

 

[Fireman]

Good Possibility

I had a1500 Ram a few years ago and when the battery got weak and would barely start the truck, it would not idle. It would run if you kept the rpm up, but when you let off the gas it wouldn't put out enough juice to stay running. The click click click means you dont have enough juice to turn the starter over. Sounds like it is a high "probability" that the battery is dead. Another thing, how old is the battery ?



Hope this helps

Fireman

 

[Spaceace]

Like Skydiver said early warning signs in the latter years

Another good indicator for a battery about to bite it...



The cd changer will not hold track position overnight When the voltage drops- memory lost. New battery, problem goes away. How many people replaced the cd changer????

 

[Sky]

Well it was the battery. It was 5 years old and a pain in the A$$ to get too. It was in a 96 grand prix GTP. Have to take out half the engine to replace the battery, its so burried in there under a bunch of crap. The Cummins is much eaiser to work on.