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Battery, Alternator or Starter issue?

So about 10 months ago in January my car won't start. I jumped the battery and it starts right up. Then like a week later same thing happens again..the car

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Old 10-14-2014, 10:57 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Battery, Alternator or Starter issue?

So about 10 months ago in January my car won't start. I jumped the battery and it starts right up. Then like a week later same thing happens again..the car won't start. So I figure I had a dead battery. Took the car to Autozone and they tested the battery and alternator. They said battery and alternator is runner good! But I have to jump the car every other week because it won't start. So I went and got a new battery and everything is fine for 10 months. Then today my car didn't start again. I to jump it and it starts right up. Took it to Autozone again for a test. The guy said that my battery and alternator is good.
I told him about the issues and he said it might be my starter. If its the starter then why did my car starts right up when I jumped the battery? If its the starter then the car wouldn't start at all. Also the car was fine for 10 months with a new battery. What do you guys think?
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:04 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Battery. VatoZone isn't always right...

What does your V meter read when you attempt to start the car?


Also, you bigger issue is that you have a large (relative to most peoples' cars) parasitic loss caused by something... Gotta find what that something is...



(Let's wait for SouthArk to give some real advice and to tell you to RTFM that's in his signature)
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:16 AM   #3 (permalink)
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So its something draining the battery?
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:17 AM   #4 (permalink)
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So its something draining the battery?
More than likely... Maybe see if they'll warranty out the battery for you
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:22 AM   #5 (permalink)
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If its a bad alternator the car won't run for 10 months without the battery dying correct?


I don't want to keep putting in new battery and having the same issues. I need to find out why the battery keep dying.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:27 AM   #6 (permalink)
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If its a bad alternator the car won't run for 10 months without the battery dying correct?


I don't want to keep putting in new battery and having the same issues. I need to find out why the battery keep dying.
I doubt it's the alternator because your car won't run for 10 days without one.

What's your Voltage reading when the car is off and on? That's a good indicator (assuming the gauge is correct)
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:37 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Sorry its not my Z its my 2007 hyundai azera. So no gauge voltage
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:41 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Sorry its not my Z its my 2007 hyundai azera. So no gauge voltage
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Ok.


Welllllllllllllllllll, go buy or borrow a volt meter.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:46 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Keep an eye on your voltmeter. I suspect either a large parasitic load or a bad connection at the battery.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:49 AM   #10 (permalink)
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How old is your battery? If its over four years old replace it. Or get a load test done at advanced auto parts. Bring the battery in so they can charge it fully then they will put it under load. You will then know for sure if its the battery or not. The alternator is not the issue because you dont drive it. I seriously doubt that its not your starter because you dont drive it much so my thoughts tend to go back to the battery. Also check to see what may be drawing power from it. i.e. accessorys such as radar detector, portable devices, amplifiers, etc.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:51 AM   #11 (permalink)
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battery is 8 months old... got it around January
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:53 AM   #12 (permalink)
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I will get a volt meter and test it..it should read 14 or higher correct?
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:55 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Forgot to mention I use to work at Advanced Auto Parts part time and I heard this story several times while I worked there. More times than not it was the battery. It would hold a charge long enough to start your car several times but after some time with the car sitting the battery would eventually die. I hope this is the case for you.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:56 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Get it load tested.
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Old 10-14-2014, 11:57 AM   #15 (permalink)
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You should have around 14-15V when the car is running and around 12-13V when the car is off. Check the manuals or the Web for more accurate figures.
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