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I didn't drive my 1 year old Kia Soul for two months and left an interior light on. I tried to jump it with my Prius but it didn't budge. I called AAA and they were able to jump it with their battery. After that I drove it for 3 hours and then turned the car off. I tried to start it again but while there is some power, it didn't start. Do I need a new battery?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Probably not. When totally discharged, it can take more than 3 hours to charge it back up with just the alternator unless driving on the freeway at 65 for that time. I would take it in to get charged, or buy a charger. At that age it would be very unusual for it to be dead and no longer hold a charge.
3 hrs may not have been enough to really recharge it all the way. I've drained a few batteries lately, and it's taken 16-24 hours or so to really bring it back to a full charge.
But, once you deep cycle a battery, they are sometimes never really the same again. It depends on how low the battery was drained. Some damage may have been done.
Trying to recharge a battery that has been fully discharged with your alternator is a poor idea.
The battery needs to be removed and charged with a charger that is capable of charging in stages.
+1
The alternator is designed to maintain the normal state of charge, not to fully recharge a completely depleted battery.
Hopefully the OP's alternator will survive this incident, but I have seen instances of alternators being destroyed by doing what the OP is forcing it to do.
Pardon me, but you do NOT jump start anything with Prius. 12V in Prius is simply 12V storage and has no connection to engine to really produce a lot of cranking power to start another car. Be glad you did not kill that battery too. Also, Prius 12V is chosen for it's capacity not for cranking power.
OP, clean battery terminals please. I bet they are all oxidized beyond any reason.
Trying to recharge a battery that has been fully discharged with your alternator is a poor idea.
The battery needs to be removed and charged with a charger that is capable of charging in stages.
+2
In the past when I didn't know much about cars, I'd have a buddy jump off my dead battery and I'd just drive around until the next time it died. Horrible for the alternator, and computer system which relies on proper battery voltage to operate. Luckily I never damaged anything but I eventually wised up and bought a trickle charger.
OP should get one last jump and drive down to the local auto parts store for a free battery test. If it fails, replace it right there. AAA might even test/replace it in his driveway.
Thanks everyone. I will bring the battery to a battery store and have them charge it. They told me the cost is $7 for one day charge. I will try this first before buying a new battery.
I didn't know driving with a drained battery is not good for the alternator.
Thanks,
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