Well my mustang will not start. When it first did it I took the battery to autozone, it was good but low. I was doing alot of starting and turning the car off, just to move the car out of the way. So I charge the battery, and the car starts and I go to work, 8 hours later I get off and nothing all I get is a click. Someone tried to give me a jump, but still just a click. So they gave me a push start, so I drive around for 45 minutes to charge up the battery some, and then I picked up the kids(left the car running)and took the kids to park. 30 minutes later it starts up strong and I go home. Well the car sat for 3 days and I go to drive it and all I get is that [censored] click sound again. I dont know what to do now or what it may be. Any help??? thanks
Car not starting
- Thread starter DreamerGT
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Not sure I would trust the guys at AZ to diagnose a battery, but who knows.
Start with giving the terminals and posts a good cleaning. Even if they look clean, sometimes a thin oxidation layer is there to prevent a good connection, lowering starting and charging capability.
I suppose next you need to check the charging current to see if the alternator is working. AZ should be able to do that too, if you don't have a multimeter.
Sometimes the cables connecting to the battery corrode within the jacket, not allowing them to pass sufficient current. Replacement is the only option.
Next, I would look for current drain. Unless you have some interior light staying on, it will be hard looking for a short somewhere.
Others will chime in with more specifics.
Start with giving the terminals and posts a good cleaning. Even if they look clean, sometimes a thin oxidation layer is there to prevent a good connection, lowering starting and charging capability.
I suppose next you need to check the charging current to see if the alternator is working. AZ should be able to do that too, if you don't have a multimeter.
Sometimes the cables connecting to the battery corrode within the jacket, not allowing them to pass sufficient current. Replacement is the only option.
Next, I would look for current drain. Unless you have some interior light staying on, it will be hard looking for a short somewhere.
Others will chime in with more specifics.
Do you have an alarm or some other thing that could be draining the battery?
Sounds also like your alternator could be kicking the bucket fighting an old/bad battery.
We just went through this ordeal with my brother's truck. We did a ton of starting and stopping and the truck was sitting for a while, which kept draining the battery (we were dynomatting the inside and doing stereo work). We kept having to jump it and charge the battery, which eventually killed the battery (stupid Optima, was only 2 years old). That in turn place too much strain on the alternator which died!
So maybe get a complete charging system test to make sure the alternator isn't fried now from running off a dead battery.
Sounds also like your alternator could be kicking the bucket fighting an old/bad battery.
We just went through this ordeal with my brother's truck. We did a ton of starting and stopping and the truck was sitting for a while, which kept draining the battery (we were dynomatting the inside and doing stereo work). We kept having to jump it and charge the battery, which eventually killed the battery (stupid Optima, was only 2 years old). That in turn place too much strain on the alternator which died!
So maybe get a complete charging system test to make sure the alternator isn't fried now from running off a dead battery.
Get a new battery. If your old one is under warranty and the bafoons at autozone refuse to replace it because it "is still good", then sabotage the battery before you bring it in by draining the fluid or putting baking soda inside it. Then when the put it on their machine it will say "bad battery."
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Get a new battery. If your old one is under warranty and the bafoons at autozone refuse to replace it because it "is still good", then sabotage the battery before you bring it in by draining the fluid or putting baking soda inside it. Then when the put it on their machine it will say "bad battery."
+1
Get a new battery. If your old one is under warranty and the bafoons at autozone refuse to replace it because it "is still good", then sabotage the battery before you bring it in by draining the fluid or putting baking soda inside it. Then when the put it on their machine it will say "bad battery."
+1
And if cleaning the connectors at the battery didn't help, then also check those at the starter. And if that still doesn't work, try tapping on the starter solenoid...
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A good test when this goes down is to leave the door open and observe the dome light. It should dim slightly if the car starts normally. If it goes dead, you have bad terminals or a shot battery. If nothing happens, (stays bright) bad solenoid or starter.
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8mm socket and pull them off, wire wheel them and then coat them with some dielectric grease.
Or if you want to get really hardcore, there are sprays for use on Golf Cart batteries that will prevent terminal corrosion.
Or if you want to get really hardcore, there are sprays for use on Golf Cart batteries that will prevent terminal corrosion.
Start with easy things first. I normally just change the battery and if I continue to have the problem (in short order), I will troubleshoot further.
battery cables
ground wire
bad solenoid
bad volt reg (cause constant draw on battery)
bad alt
most battery problems are cables and ground related.
battery cables
ground wire
bad solenoid
bad volt reg (cause constant draw on battery)
bad alt
most battery problems are cables and ground related.
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