Battery problems

[jaime3]

Has anyone needed to replace their battery already. I bought my frs almost 2 years ago and just last week my car wouldn't start so i jumped it. About a week later, my car battery had died again. Should my battery have died so soon. I have a civic with a full audio system in it for a couple years now and it hasn't once done anything like this. Any suggestions?

[BRZnut]

OEM batteries are not the best and can die after 3 years. But, check and make sure there is enough distilled water in each of the cells (these batteries are not maintenance free and need distilled water at times).


Otherwise make sure you do not have a light on or something else that can kill the battery, and when you get a new one, have the place check the charging system (places like Sears do this for free when you buy a new battery) to be sure it is working correctly.

[humfrz]

In addition to BRZnut's post, you may consider checking it yourself with a simple volt meter. Here is a good guide:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm


humfrz

[stugray]

I believe you can see the battery (bus) voltage through the torque app.

You could check it before & after starting and under full load (stereo, rear defog, AC, seat heaters, etc) that way.

[Rayme]

I'm having the same problem, I had toyota check it out and they said it was "discharged" but not "bad".

Yesterday the car started fine 3 times in the day, and when I left work to go pickup parts I left the car 5 minutes off and it wouldn't even crank when I came back...

I will call to get it changed if it ever happens again.

[Auror_Elite]

GUYS I'm having trouble with a discharged battery right now..I have left the trunk open and I think thats causes the battery to run off for 5 days.I tried the start jumper from another car but no luck yet any idea what to do I needed to use it now pls help guys??

[swarb]

It is probably dead. Try to charge it, if it doesn't hold a charge, it's dead. Auto parts stores usually test/charge for free.

[Eski]

auto parts stores will check/charge for free. batteries are capable of lasting up to 10 years sometimes and othertimes they can last 10 days. sometimes you just get unlucky and get a bad cell in a battery or just get a bad battery in general. i work in an autoparts store and check batteries all day and i am here to tell you that every battery is different as to how long it will last, how long the reserve stays active and even how much cranking amperage they actually pump out. you can have a battery in a car with full stereo, subs etc and keep it for 10 years with no issues and you can buy a brand new car off the lot and have it die in a week through no fault of your own or the dealer. sometimes luck just isnt on your side. i warranty swap batteries all day sometimes and customers are furious and want to know what they are doing thats casuing these issues. (sometimes it really is their fault tho, leaving lights on, things plugged in that shouldnt be or my personal favorite, the 16 year old who attempted a full speaker/sub/double din install with no experience and a friend who owns a ricer civic who knows "everything")