02-10-2021, 09:44 PM
Speedy wrote:
[quote=ztirffritz]
[quote=Paul F.]
Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.
If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.
That may or may not solve the underlying problem. If he's only driving a short distance/time then a new battery will likely result in the same problem eventually.
I agree. Use a battery maintainer.
If the battery itself is bad, a charger/maintainer isn't going to do anything, because even if fully "charged", the battery may not have enough cranking amps left to actually start the car. I.e. it might be at 12V but only at 10% of its original capacity.
A battery tester will give better insight. This is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCS7EF5/ Every battery it has reads as failed has been verified by my local Pep Boys or Auto Zone (I'm usually doing a warranty swap).
Most local auto parts stores will test a battery for free. But you may need to pull it out of the car to have them test it. Heads up if your trunk switch is electronic and not mechanical - I've put one too many batteries back into my wagon by going through the passenger compartment and then awkwardly sitting hunched over in the cargo area trying to maneuver a 50lb battery because I couldn't open the hatch with the battery disconnected (I still think there must be a mechanical release on the inside somewhere but I've never found it).