Draining Battery
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
Agreed , sounds like you need a new battery , take it in and have it load tested , most places will do it for free , but honestly I would replace it . You'll get a few bucks for your old one , core value .
You could test your battery , volt meter , neg on battery terminal , pos on starter , hit the starter button , if your seeing less than 10v , time for a new battery , providing your cables are in good condition , also clean and tight .
You could test your battery , volt meter , neg on battery terminal , pos on starter , hit the starter button , if your seeing less than 10v , time for a new battery , providing your cables are in good condition , also clean and tight .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,326
Likes: 56,888
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
As stated above... "take it in and have it load tested , most places will do it for free" ... This would be step number one even if you have a battery charger ... A load test will give the health report of the battery
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: McLeansboro, Illinois
I tried to jump start it today and it would try to turn over then act like the battery was drained. I was using my car to try to jump start it. When I would hook up the jumper cables it would show 14 volts but as soon as I hit the start button it would drop down to 3-4 volts even with the jumper cables hooked up to it. Are you still thinking the battery, or something else? I'm stumped.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,923
Likes: 3,561
From: backwoods
you're not serious are you? So no one should bother checking codes anymore? Even you said its free and easy so why wouldn't you do that first thing? It only tells you what's wrong and it even tell you the freaking part number for the bad part....yeah you're right...waist of time lol
I am surprised more of you don;t own a load tester.
Years ago people did consider load testing a destructive test, but not any more.
Last edited by Rounders; Apr 14, 2023 at 04:00 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
Thinking this through , you are connecting the car battery from terminal to terminal , ( Bat to Bat ) . Try to jump it straight to the starter ( pos on starter , ground to frame ) , does the starter engage or not .
I would still have the battery load tested . Also , check the cables , broken or corrosion inside the jacket could be the culprit .
Possibly a bad solenoid inside the starter ?? I doubt it , because you said the voltage is dropping to 3-4v when starter is pressed . You can remove the solenoid and clean it with emery cloth , but this is not nearly as good as if you were to replace the parts , you can purchase just the kit . A weak battery can cause pitting etc , in which case , cause poor connection . Guessing this is not your case .
I would still have the battery load tested . Also , check the cables , broken or corrosion inside the jacket could be the culprit .
Possibly a bad solenoid inside the starter ?? I doubt it , because you said the voltage is dropping to 3-4v when starter is pressed . You can remove the solenoid and clean it with emery cloth , but this is not nearly as good as if you were to replace the parts , you can purchase just the kit . A weak battery can cause pitting etc , in which case , cause poor connection . Guessing this is not your case .
Last edited by MyFavRk; Apr 14, 2023 at 04:29 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 131
Likes: 64
From: Cleveland
No its easy to do, you can go in from the face. But if check engine light doesn't come on, I am not sure if does much good. To be honest they have never helped me, not that I am against checkibg. But when it comes to the charging system, there are some quick checks with a meter I do first.
I am surprised more of you don;t own a load tester.
Years ago people did consider load testing a destructive test, but not any more.
I am surprised more of you don;t own a load tester.
Years ago people did consider load testing a destructive test, but not any more.
I tried to jump start it today and it would try to turn over then act like the battery was drained. I was using my car to try to jump start it. When I would hook up the jumper cables it would show 14 volts but as soon as I hit the start button it would drop down to 3-4 volts even with the jumper cables hooked up to it. Are you still thinking the battery, or something else? I'm stumped.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34,636
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From: outskirts of ba habba
you're not serious are you? So no one should bother checking codes anymore? Even you said its free and easy so why wouldn't you do that first thing? It only tells you what's wrong and it even tell you the freaking part number for the bad part....yeah you're right...waist of time lol