Do I have a bad battery, bad alternator, or open circuit "leak"...
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Junior Member
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Do I have a bad battery, bad alternator, or open circuit "leak"...
Monday morning after the car had been sitting, un-driven, a day, I had trouble getting the car started. At first, it didn't seem as if the battery would have enough to get the starter turning (click, click, click, click...) but then, it had just enough to turn over the engine and get me going.
I figured I had accidentally left the door open a hair or so and just assumed the drive to work would get me charged all back up.
Every start up since then has been slow, but not as bad as that first time.
My drive to work is 25 miles and I haven't driven extensively other than that. Every start has been the same, a little hesitant, the turn-over. Is it possible that the relatively limited driving hasn't been enough to fully re-charge the battery over this time? Should I leave it idling for a half hour and see what happens after that?
Other pertinent information. Battery was replaced about 3 years ago and reads 75% on the volt meter (12 volts?).
Any help would be appreciated.
I figured I had accidentally left the door open a hair or so and just assumed the drive to work would get me charged all back up.
Every start up since then has been slow, but not as bad as that first time.
My drive to work is 25 miles and I haven't driven extensively other than that. Every start has been the same, a little hesitant, the turn-over. Is it possible that the relatively limited driving hasn't been enough to fully re-charge the battery over this time? Should I leave it idling for a half hour and see what happens after that?
Other pertinent information. Battery was replaced about 3 years ago and reads 75% on the volt meter (12 volts?).
Any help would be appreciated.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 18,424
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dead battery....
go to AutoZone, they will test it for free.
A battery is a series of Cells. If one cell goes, you can still start but its weak. It still holds a charge, just not quite as much. Generally when one cell goes, the others will eventually cascade downward.
While you still have powrer, take care of it.
DEKA makes a 100% OEM Fit Battery, but you can get others most places. We got an A4 Battery at Wallmart for 59.00
A battery is a series of Cells. If one cell goes, you can still start but its weak. It still holds a charge, just not quite as much. Generally when one cell goes, the others will eventually cascade downward.
While you still have powrer, take care of it.
DEKA makes a 100% OEM Fit Battery, but you can get others most places. We got an A4 Battery at Wallmart for 59.00
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2000
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Battery. If the alt was bad you wouldn't be able to keep driving it.
Did mine just last week as a matter of fact.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/734065.phtml">click it</a></li></ul>
Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 6,211
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john - if you have a costco membership you can get a battery there - I am running the group 48 in
both my S4 and my B5 Passat. Also, the Group 48 at Advance Auto parts is the same Johnson Controls battery as the Costco/Diehard/Interstate, etc. but they have the longest warranty apart from Costco.
You definitely have a bad battery - replace it before you are left stranded. Call me at 681-5950 X-222 if you have any questions (daytime work number).
You definitely have a bad battery - replace it before you are left stranded. Call me at 681-5950 X-222 if you have any questions (daytime work number).
Member
Joined: May 2001
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If you have a voltmeter, get a reading across the battery terminals while the engine is running - if
it is 13.5 - 14.2 Volts then the alternator is OK. Good batteries will hold 12.6V of charge overnight (measure across terminals with car off). This is not 100% foolproof, but in general it is a decent test to see which component is likely going bad. Also a dying battery can kill an alternator if left in there too long, so get it tended to within a few days!
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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The best test is battery voltage under start load. What does the dash meter drop to while cranking?
I had a battery that read 12V unloaded, but collapsed to 6V while cranking. Well, while failing to crank, to be more precise. A good one stays at 9 or higher.
You need a new battery, I suspect.
You need a new battery, I suspect.
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