calrx7

ok, so i replace my MONTH old battery cuz my car wont crank.
when i turn the key, the engine struggles juss to crank then ends with a CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK>>>!>@..41354u51385131.

so i buy a new battery and the car starts.
the next day i drive around bla bla bla and when i start the car again, it BARELY started.

i drove back home, turned off the car, and tried to turn it back on.
AGAIN it BARELY started.

i turn of the car, come back after 10 mins to start the car again.

this time it was struggling to crank and ended with a CLIKC CLICKLCIKCLICK CLICK CLIKCj1io2j4190u451451.

i turn on my headlights and every time i turn em on, they go up slower and slower.

i look at my clock, it gets dimmer and dimmer.

so in conclusion, this is ******* pissing me off because its only been 1 ******* day since i got a new battery and the car wont start now.

i searched for about an hour now and i cant find ****. seems like im the only person that had this problem.

i need real ******* answers, no joke seriously.... i need a car by tomarrow so who ever reads this thread, juss give out all the answers u know that might be the problem.

imma bust a all nighter juss to get this **** done.

peace

jimmy

Rotary Noob

Try your alternator, that happened on my vette just after I bought it. Start there. If it isnt charging it would do exactly what you described, so either get yourself a new one, or look through that one and see if something isnt right with it.

I just talked to another guy here at my tech school, and he suggested checking for a draw on the battery somewhere. Checking all the grounds wouldnt be a bad idea either. Hope that helps you.

bl0d

I'd check the alternator first, since it sounds like it isn't charging. However there could also be a short that is 'causing the battery to drain, but it's doubtful since you still had trouble starting the car shortly after turning it off.

calrx7

good answers, good answers.. much appreciate it.

i wanna know all the ground locations if possible, i looked at arroncake's site but im confused.

and.. how do i check the altenator?

thx

jimmy

Rotary Noob

easiest way though expensive, is to go buy one. (I dont know of any other way to check, not a technician...yet) Im not sure on the ground locations, and my manual for my 88 is at home. wish i could help you more, good luck to you. If you have a trickle charger, i would reccomend using that. If it will charge up and hold a charge when you dont run it (IE leave it for a few days if you can after you charge it) Then you know its the alternator, or the charge system. If it runs down, you know its got a drain on the battery.

marcusloyer

if you get your car running try removing the positive cable to the battery. If your car runs your alt is fine. I.f it stops right away the problem is your alt. I had a simmilar problem with my car and it was the starter. I just hit it with a rubber mallet because the brushes inside were old and sticking. I rebuilt mine a couple of times so I know. It grounds itself out badly if the starter won't turn.

Rotary Noob

If its a manual, push it down your street and pop the clutch in 2nd or 3rd. Should start. Pull it over to the side, and then try Marcus' idea. Of course, thats if you can get it to start. Make sure the key is on if you try to start it like this! Oh and make sure if your neighbors call the cops, you have proof that its your car (almost got arrested doing this, neighbor thought i was a car theif lol)

13BT_RX3

Do you have Digital multimeter that can test Voltage (V) and Current(A)? If not they have inexpensive ones at radio shack.

It's obvious you have something running down your battery. Now it's time to see what it is.

Start the car. Measure the voltage across the battery terminals. It should be around 14V. If it is less you have a charging system problem. If it's OK then you have a drain somewhere in your system.

Turn the car off. Remove a lead from its battery terminal. Your choice + or -. Before you measure anything touch the lead to its post and check for sparks. If no sparks then there probably is no current drain. It would be a good idea to check anyway though. Measure the current (A) between the lead you removed and the post you removed it from.

Let us know what you find out.

13BT_RX3

It probably is your alternator though. Bad batteries kill alternators.

bl0d

If you're lucky, and the people at your local AutoZone have taken the training on how to use their equipment, you can hook up their portable battery tester (the big one with electronic readout) and get all kinds of useful info on your car. My friend works there and he knows how to use it properly, and it was able to tell me how much load was on my alternator. I think you may have to hook up a cable to one of the plug wires and program in what type of engine you have, and it can do more tests on the charging system.

Haven't had it done in about a year on my old Camry, so i may be forgetting something.