Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Check the cables for corrosion where the stranded wire goes into the connector . This connection can fail and cause all sorts of grief . Go ahead and change the battery anyway .
Time for a new battery ! I'll bet it is the problem, as mentioned, if that's the original battery it time to replace it. It takes a lot of amps to start the car but only a minimal amount of amps to run gadgets. Even if the battery isn't the problem it's worth replacing it, they aren't that expensive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wit-nit
Batteries only last on the norm for 4-5 years no matter how many miles you put on the vehicle. The teeny radio works on a minimum of battery power, the big engine uses the most power to get started.
If you're replacing the original battery you might want to consider a higher CCA replacement battery, less strain on the engine and may last a year or so longer.
Car batteries don't run gadgets. The alternator does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ukrkoz
No, you are not lucky. You simply do not maintaine your car. Part of it is to mind battery terminals and have them nice and clean, sealed from corrosion.
Battery in my Camry is OEM with 7 years and almost 90 000 miles on it. Still runs strong.
Your battery is likely dead, but!! When you buy a new one, invest into several things:
1. battery cleaning tool
2. dielectric grease, or electrician grease
3. battery sealant.
4. terminal felt pads, green and red.
Total expense will be around $15 with tax.
When you install new battery, clean terminlas on both cables and battery. Yes, I know it's new. Clean anyway.
Lubricate felt pads with grease, as in - LIBERALLY, and set them on battery poles, red on positive.
Lubricate cable terminals and battery poles with grease.
Set cable terminals onto the poles ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BATTERY SURFACE. If you need to hammer on them, do so, just gently. Felt pads will need to be compressed by terminals. Reason being, most folks sets them up high on conical pole, and terminal slowly works itself up on it, causing gap and corrosion.
I even drive a self tapping screw through both, to secure them in place.
Spray over with battery sealant. You good for about 2 years, then you need to do over. Re-spray sealant about once a year.
Enjoy very long lasting battery.
Do you have a camera under OP's hood? I didn't think so. Maybe you shouldn't be so judgemental.
NEVER run a screw through a battery terminal. Many millions of batteries have survived just fine without this warranty voiding and potentially damaging practice.