Car doesn't start without fully charged battery.
 

Hi all, I've been having this problem where my car doesn't start after I discharge battery for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Yesterday, I left my lights on by accident but I caught it after a while and turned them off. I left the lights on for maybe 30 minutes max.
I wanted make sure the car starts after this, but the starter motor turned over maybe twice and died. Next try, it wouldn't turn over at all.

Everything else worked nornally before I attempted to start the car, like AC, radio, lights and power locks.

I couldn't jump the car right away so I left it for maybe an hour or two. Then before I jumped it, I decided to give it another try.

The starter struggled to turn over luke before but this time, the engine started.
So I drove around for like 30 minutes or so to keep battery charged.

Even though the car started, I don't think the starter should struggle when the car battery has enough juice to power everything in the car normally.

Do you guys think this is an issue woth the starter motor or battery?

@frsq5

It's probably your battery.

Do this...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJr7OB23Hw"]How to Test a Car Battery with a Multimeter - YouTube[/ame]

The stock battery isn't a very high capacity one with a lot of amps, and yours is probably 3-4 years old and has been in a hot climate.

Draining it with 30 minutes of headlights on isn't really out of the question for a tired stock battery.

You'll probably need a new one soon.

Driving 30 mins doesn't recharge a battery. From the symptoms it sounds like your battery has low CCA and is on the way out.

Thank you all for the response!
That confirms my suspicion on dying battery. I'll be glad if it isn't starter or alternator issue.
I'll replace the battery soon.

You may wish to have your battery load tested before you bury it. It just may need a long, slow charge. Have you checked the electrolyte level ...??

If the load test shows that it is weak ..... a new battery would be in order.

:slap: ....... that's for leaving your lights ON when the engine is not running, don't do that no more ....... ;)


humfrz

This.
Check the levels and charge it properly. If still no good then get a new one

As far as everything but the starter working that means nothing. All the rest requires much less amps to operate than the starter motor.