06-10-2016, 07:22 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
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Well I had a major issue tonight. I was out and tried to turn the headlights on. Nothing. It would flicker but the HID's would not fire. I turned the radio off and still nothing. I drove home with no lights and as soon as I put in in the garage, I plugged it in. 2 lights on the CTEK. It quickly went to 3 and is currently at 4.
So long story short, I cannot do that test right now.
So big question... I have a PCA event tomorrow morning. I will be driving 250 miles RT. The battery will be fully charged tonight, but will it last that long?
Thanks, John
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2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
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06-10-2016, 07:36 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 1,476
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Okay. If I have this straight and you had the battery charged but it was dead again today, then you Could have a bad cell in the battery that is drawing the others down, or a continuous drain with the key off.
These are only possibilities since apparently the trickle charger was able to fully charge the battery, meaning drain is less than 4 amps.
Of course all this could have been caused by a bad alternator. Now I said test the fully charged battery, since that was the last known state, but you can do the same test I mentioned. Just use the current battery voltage as base, start car and see if voltage rises.
If you install a new battery you could maybe drive during daytime using no lights 2 hrs each way before low voltage causes problems. However a dead cell or current drain and all bets are off. Of course the starter, radiator and ac fans will all kill the battery.
I wouldn't recommend it. Sorry
Last edited by 911monty; 06-10-2016 at 07:53 PM.
Reason: cell
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06-10-2016, 08:17 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 911monty
Okay. If I have this straight and you had the battery charged but it was dead again today, then you Could have a bad cell in the battery that is drawing the others down, or a continuous drain with the key off.
These are only possibilities since apparently the trickle charger was able to fully charge the battery, meaning drain is less than 4 amps.
Of course all this could have been caused by a bad alternator. Now I said test the fully charged battery, since that was the last known state, but you can do the same test I mentioned. Just use the current battery voltage as base, start car and see if voltage rises.
If you install a new battery you could maybe drive during daytime using no lights 2 hrs each way before low voltage causes problems. However a dead cell or current drain and all bets are off. Of course the starter, radiator and ac fans will all kill the battery.
I wouldn't recommend it. Sorry
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Thanks for the info. What about replacing the battery with a new one tomorrow morning?
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
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06-10-2016, 08:58 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 1,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763
Thanks for the info. What about replacing the battery with a new one tomorrow morning?
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If you can do this then why don't you do as I first suggested and have them test the alternator?????
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06-10-2016, 09:03 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 911monty
If you can do this then why don't you do as I first suggested and have them test the alternator?????
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So take the car over there in the morning and have them test both things? I removed the battery based on another persons suggestion.
I will reinstall and go to the shop. Hopefully it is just a battery.
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
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06-10-2016, 09:06 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 1,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763
So take the car over there in the morning and have them test both things? I removed the battery based on another persons suggestion.
I will reinstall and go to the shop. Hopefully it is just a battery.
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Man I'm sorry. Yes O'reilly's AutoZone etc. can check your battery and alternator, and it's usually free. Good Luck,
Looking at that battery I'm guessing it's around 5 years old and so would be a good candidate for being bad. Don't like seeing the acid around the top plug on a maintenance free battery though.....
Last edited by 911monty; 06-10-2016 at 09:19 PM.
Reason: Bad battery
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06-10-2016, 08:19 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 1,666
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If it was me with an event to go to tommorow, I would remove the battery and bring it to the store where they can load test it. If it does not pass you come home with a new battery, if its good then you have a short or fault with something and needs to be debugged before you end up stranded and locked out of the car.
__________________
"It broke because it wants to be Upgraded  "
2012 Porsche Performance Driving School - SanDiego region
2001 Boxster S, Top Speed muffler, (Fred's) Mini Morimotto Projectors, Tarret UDP,
Short Shifter, Touch Screen Dual Din Radio, 03 4 Bow glass Top (DD & Auto-X since May 17,2012)
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06-10-2016, 08:23 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jb92563
If it was me with an event to go to tommorow, I would remove the battery and bring it to the store where they can load test it. If it does not pass you come home with a new battery, if its good then you have a short or fault with something and needs to be debugged before you end up stranded and locked out of the car.
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Thanks! Great suggestion!
The shop opens at 7:30. I can buy a new battery at an auto parts store, right?
I put my car into O'Reilly and it showed me 4 batteries.
John
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
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