Battery, Alternator or Starter issue?

ShockWave · 10-14-2014, 10:57 AM

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?

DEpointfive0 · 10-14-2014, 11:04 AM

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)

ShockWave · 10-14-2014, 11:16 AM

So its something draining the battery?

DEpointfive0 · 10-14-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShockWave

So its something draining the battery?

More than likely... Maybe see if they'll warranty out the battery for you

ShockWave · 10-14-2014, 11:22 AM

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.

DEpointfive0 · 10-14-2014, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShockWave

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)

ShockWave · 10-14-2014, 11:37 AM

Sorry its not my Z its my 2007 hyundai azera. So no gauge voltage

DEpointfive0 · 10-14-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShockWave

Sorry its not my Z its my 2007 hyundai azera. So no gauge voltage

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Ok.

Welllllllllllllllllll, go buy or borrow a volt meter.

SouthArk370Z · 10-14-2014, 11:46 AM

Keep an eye on your voltmeter. I suspect either a large parasitic load or a bad connection at the battery.

Tadpole · 10-14-2014, 11:49 AM

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.

ShockWave · 10-14-2014, 11:51 AM

battery is 8 months old... got it around January

ShockWave · 10-14-2014, 11:53 AM

I will get a volt meter and test it..it should read 14 or higher correct?

Tadpole · 10-14-2014, 11:55 AM

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.

Tadpole · 10-14-2014, 11:56 AM

Get it load tested.

SouthArk370Z · 10-14-2014, 11:57 AM

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.

10-14-2014, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
ShockWave Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: houston Posts: 303 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 14	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?

10-14-2014, 11:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	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) __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

10-14-2014, 11:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Keep an eye on your voltmeter. I suspect either a large parasitic load or a bad connection at the battery. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

10-14-2014, 11:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tadpole A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Lockhart, TX Posts: 1,082 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z A7 Rep Power: 18	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. DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________ Takeda TR3009P Short Ram Intakes, Custom Dual Exhaust, X-Piped with 18" Resonators & TopSpeed Axle Backs. EVO-R Led Third Foglight,

10-14-2014, 11:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
Tadpole A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Lockhart, TX Posts: 1,082 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z A7 Rep Power: 18	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. __________________ Takeda TR3009P Short Ram Intakes, Custom Dual Exhaust, X-Piped with 18" Resonators & TopSpeed Axle Backs. EVO-R Led Third Foglight,

10-14-2014, 11:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
ShockWave Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: houston Posts: 303 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 14	So its something draining the battery?

10-14-2014, 11:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
ShockWave Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: houston Posts: 303 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 14	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.

10-14-2014, 11:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
ShockWave Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: houston Posts: 303 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 14	Sorry its not my Z its my 2007 hyundai azera. So no gauge voltage

10-14-2014, 11:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
ShockWave Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: houston Posts: 303 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 14	battery is 8 months old... got it around January

10-14-2014, 11:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
ShockWave Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: houston Posts: 303 Drives: 350z Rep Power: 14	I will get a volt meter and test it..it should read 14 or higher correct?

10-14-2014, 11:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
Tadpole A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Lockhart, TX Posts: 1,082 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z A7 Rep Power: 18	Get it load tested. __________________ Takeda TR3009P Short Ram Intakes, Custom Dual Exhaust, X-Piped with 18" Resonators & TopSpeed Axle Backs. EVO-R Led Third Foglight,

10-14-2014, 11:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	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. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Alternator, starter, battery problems anyone?	ddvette9	Engine & Drivetrain	15	02-18-2015 08:52 AM
[FOR SALE] 370z parts alternator,starter,ecu,airbags,manifold,maf: etc	Chaddrift	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	8	03-01-2013 11:29 AM
Alternator fuse	Boosted Performance	Engine & Drivetrain	4	05-17-2012 01:50 PM
Guys battery issue	aalqaedi	Engine & Drivetrain	6	06-04-2011 03:29 PM