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Have you checked your main battery cables for corrosion? I just replaced my 90's toyota pickup because the ground side had corrosion in the actual battery cable that would make the car seem like it had a dead battery. A multi meter can also test your battery voltage when the car is off and when its on to see if your alternator is properly charging.
Ok... finally here for an update... this has been such an ordeal.. but I've learned a lot about batteries that I didn't know.
The second jump worked and I drove to my mechanic. He told me to go drive for an hour. I really wasn't in the mood for that, but I did. Then I ran some errands and the car started again, thankfully. He suggested I go for another drive for at least 30 minutes tomorrow.
My plan going forward is to drive the car more often, and if I can arrange to move my parking spot, I might be able to have access to an outlet where I could plug in a battery maintainer.
Have you checked your main battery cables for corrosion? I just replaced my 90's toyota pickup because the ground side had corrosion in the actual battery cable that would make the car seem like it had a dead battery. A multi meter can also test your battery voltage when the car is off and when its on to see if your alternator is properly charging.
I may have to look into this.... for now, I think the main problem is lack of use of the car, but I may need to figure out options to help avoid needing to call for a jump start.
There must be a drain on the battery from the electrical system.
It sure sounds like it, that or a bad battery. It doesn't matter how new the battery is, it can go bad. Ditto on the electrical system. I don't recall exactly where you are, but wires can get corroded and give you fits. You or someone else should look closely at the wires going to/from the battery. Sometimes they corrode on the inside which hardly shows up on the exterior.
My wife drives her car to and from work, about 3 miles round trip. Sometimes she doesn't drive it for nearly a couple weeks, but it cranks right up when she does. In the summer, of course, she never lets it set and warm up, just starts it and goes, but this time of the year she usually lets it set and warm up in the morning before she takes off. It sets outside.
I went thru same issue a few years back. Mechanic/dealership told me to install a Battery Tender (brand name). I purchased one at Walmart for less than 50 dollars. It comes with leads which can be installed on battery to make repeated hook up easier. If you are not handy I am sure your mechanic will be able to install. He can also explain it to you.
An older car may have had a battery that is not sealed. The replacement from two years ago may also not be sealed. If there are round screw off caps (unlikely) on the top of the battery or rectangular pieces that can snap on and off covering the cells the battery may be still in decent shape internally, just dry and not able to maintain a full charge.
Ok... finally here for an update... this has been such an ordeal.. but I've learned a lot about batteries that I didn't know.
The second jump worked and I drove to my mechanic. He told me to go drive for an hour. I really wasn't in the mood for that, but I did. Then I ran some errands and the car started again, thankfully. He suggested I go for another drive for at least 30 minutes tomorrow.
My plan going forward is to drive the car more often, and if I can arrange to move my parking spot, I might be able to have access to an outlet where I could plug in a battery maintainer.
So are you saying that your mechanic still has not tested the cells to see if one is bad? I'd change mechanics. It's a simple test
A new battery, coupled with a good charging-system, should not be sulfated to the point where you are having problems starting, even if you driving it very little.
A newer battery has more reserve-capacity, lower internal-resistance, and accepts charging-current better when compared to an older battery.
If you put a new battery in, your charging-system is in good shape, I highly doubt the battery is bonking due to you not enough driving.
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