Electrical or Battery failure on 01 SE??
 

Gents/Ladies,

To make this as short as possible: I was cleaning my car with the radio on (car off) and it suddenly died. I thought it i bumped into it, then I could not start the car and the radio would not even display the time. When I turned on the "4 way flashers" they came on sooo slow and then started to die. Dash lights seem to work but I can't turn it over.

Tried to get a friend to boost it but that did not work either no matter how long we waited. He said he could not even get the cables to spark. I just dusted and vacuumed my car and don't think I hit anything electrical. Could it be the baterry that it totally dead?? Or some other issue? I had a low charge on the batt detected in January when I went in for an oil change. Also if it is the Bat, why would it die so quickley and completley.I had all the doors open.

01 1.6L Protege SE 50K.

Any help would be apreciated.

Ciemny

if its the stock battery that came with the car (panasonic i think)then thats probley it.it would take more than just a bump or so to mess up the electrical system.i have an '02 mp5 and my battery already died and i had to replace it.hope that helps a little.

I had the car boosted from a 98 Contour finally. For some reason it would not boost from a mercury Topaz.....weird.But It boosted and I drove it around for a while. Will get a new Bat tomorrow probably, the one I have I think is stock. Had a low charge in January (Canada -10C normal temp), so Im guessing it just died with the radio on while I was cleaning it. I will check the brand of the batt when I have the time tomorrow.

The baterry is a 550CCA and tested at 240CCA on Jan 25th. Test came back as "Replace Baterry".

How long did your battery last??

mine lasted 4 years and about 2 months.i almost thought that my starter was going out because it was turning over really slow but i had my battery checked and it turns out that was the problem.

When I had my batt checked last night at the shop the CCA came back as 265, Batt rated 550. In January it was at 240CCA.

THe car turns over good now, maybe takes a few seconds longer to start and some of the lights lightly dim when I have the turn signals on (Car off). Would the battery still work (if it died) after boosting, or would it just crap out spontaniously one day? Works when I start the car, just dunno why all of a sudden it died when I had the radio on for 15 minutes while cleaning the car. I don't mind replacing the battery if thats the problem, unless its the alternator or the voltage regulator that is the issue.

I did not get a battery light., The car works fine when running......off the alternator Im guessing. Its only when the engine is off, and things (like radio) or lights are on that the thing goes to crap.

Now that it is getting warmer - the battery will do better. From what you describe it is worn. Batteries cannot take a charge after so many cycles because oxides (?) build up on the lead plates and keep the 'lectrons from getting through.

Choices are:
1. Keep some jumper cables in the trunk and wait for a no-start. Then go buy a new battery. You may get a few months or a few weeks.
2. Just go buy the new battery and not worry about it.

Thx, got a new battery, might as well do it now. Bought the Motomaster Eliminator 630CCA. If I return the old one to the store I get 5$ lol.