Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: CohoMan on January 13, 2014, 03:42:22 PM
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Hi guys
Hope you guys can diagnose a car problem I am having.
I have a Dodge Dakota that will start if I hook up a cable from another car to it. I can then unhook the cable and drive it around. But once I turn off the ignition, I cannot start the car anymore.
I am no car repairman so what do you guys think it is?
Battery, Alternator or Starter?
Thanks guys.
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My guess would be your starter. If it was your alternator your truck would die after driving for a bit as that is what keeps your battery juiced up.
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Hey CohoMan. If you can jump start and drive around, it means your alternator is ok, since while you are driving around ,all the current is supplied by the alternator, once you stop it cannot start by its own. That is your battery cannot holding charge, so more likely is your battery. Good luck.
p.s. Make sure all the connection are clean and tight.
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thanks.
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Hey CohoMan. If you can jump start and drive around, it means your alternator is ok, since while you are driving around ,all the current is supplied by the alternator, once you stop it cannot start by its own. That is your battery cannot holding charge, so more likely is your battery. Good luck.
p.s. Make sure all the connection are clean and tight.
x2 best case bad/corroded connection....otherwise battery is done
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x2 best case bad/corroded connection....otherwise battery is done
x3 check battery connection(clean and tight) altenator is fine battery probably toast.
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If your hearing a "click" when you turn the key that means your starter is trying but there is no juice from the battery. There is a chance your starter may also be done. If you have a battery tester you can check it or take it into Canadian Tire and have them test it, if its fine then its your starter. if not there is a chance you might have to do both if it wont turnover with a new battery
starters and alternators can be fixed usually a couple times before needing to be completely replaced. In my old Dakota I had both re-brushed once each over the time I owned it. This is a lot cheaper than a new but call around for prices, ran me only $60 each time which was an hours work ;)
battery on my Ram died a couple weeks back. It clicks when I turn the key but wont turnover, if I jump it however she runs fine until it sits for a couple days un started then it needs a jump again
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You need to get a load test done on your battery, sometimes a votmeter will show 12 to 13.2 volts across the terminals but that is not necessarily indicative of the batteries performance under a heavy load such as cranking the engine over to start up. A load test is cheap and instantaneous and I am betting your battery will fail.
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I can start it with one try while it is connected by cable to another car.
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sounds familiar...unscrew your distributor cap and see if there's carbon build up in and around the screws (white powdery substance) if there is chances are it needs replacing...happened to my civic where it would start from time to time and then would not turn, but will start with a jump.
if not take your battery to lordco to have it tested (usually for free).
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You need to get a load test done on your battery, sometimes a voltmeter will show 12 to 13.2 volts across the terminals but that is not necessarily indicative of the batteries performance under a heavy load such as cranking the engine over to start up. A load test is cheap and instantaneous and I am betting your battery will fail.
This X2
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Hey CohoMan. If you can jump start and drive around, it means your alternator is ok, since while you are driving around ,all the current is supplied by the alternator, once you stop it cannot start by its own. That is your battery cannot holding charge, so more likely is your battery. Good luck.
p.s. Make sure all the connection are clean and tight.
Had the same problem last summer. It was the battery.
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Thanks guys.
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You need to get a load test done on your battery, sometimes a votmeter will show 12 to 13.2 volts across the terminals but that is not necessarily indicative of the batteries performance under a heavy load such as cranking the engine over to start up. A load test is cheap and instantaneous and I am betting your battery will fail.
First you make sure all terminal are clean and tight. Connect your voltmeter to the battery clamps. make sure at least 12.6 volts, crank the engine, if the voltage drop below 9.6 volt. replace your battery . Tight line ;)
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Replace the battery. If it's new, I'd suggest you take it to can tire and often they will check the life of the battery and ability it holds a charge.
How old is your battery? They often need to be replace between 5-10 years and if there's corrosion around the terminals more sooner than later because it hasn't been recharging properly so keep the terminals clean. You can buy solutions to cleans, use baking soda/water, Pepsi works and there a bunch of other cleaning solutions for battery acid corrosion.
Anway, new battery and you're good to go if it jump starts and your battery is t already new.
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Its one of two things: The battery, or the wiring from the alternator to battery is bad.
Before you take it to get looked at just make sure you take a wire brush to all the terminals and stuff - disassemble the connector and clean the ends of the wires too if you can. Paid for a tow one time to have my mechanic clean everything up and it was good to go. Still not living that one down...
I remember one time replacing the battery and alternator in a buddies car, only to realize later that day when it died on us at 7-11, got jumped, then died again once we got back, that the wiring was exposed and grounding out. A few pieces of tape later, it was all fixed....
Although chances of that actually being the problem are like a million to one... So its probably your battery. lol
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I had the same problem happen with my car. Thought that jumping it and driving it around would charge the battery and then I would be OK. Not so.
Turned out to be an exceptionally easy fix. I cleaned the battery terminals with a toothbrush, baking soda and water mixture. Once they're clean apply vaseline to the battery terminals.
This was 3 years ago and she's still going fine. I hope this is your problem or you may have to replace your battery.
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BATTERY !! 99.9%
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Changed battery and all is good now!!! Thanks for the diagnostic and most of you guys were correct.
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changed my battery too today. turns out its the starter in my truck :'(
battery says good but its over 5yrs old so I may just keep the new one
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I had the same problem before. Its either your battery is old or damage (change a new one). If problem still happen, there should be some electric leaking in some of ur electronic device (eg. radio) that drain your battery out.
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turns out the new battery they gave me had 1 dead cell out of the 6. All good now with a new one ;D