Ran my battery out, now won't hold a charge.

Boxcarracer944 · Feb 3, 2009

Welp, left my head lights on due to being drunk and now my battery is dead.

I don't get it, a little time line for you's though.

Killed it Saturday night.
Jumped it and drove it around Sunday.
Started up Monday morning.
Died Monday during work. - Then, it wouldn't pop start, but it would jump start, wtf?

Took the battery to 3 different places all of them said it need's to be charged, the battery is still good.

Before you tell me it's the alternator, why would running the battery out with the headlights cause the alternator to go?

So, if you have something to tell me besides it's the alternator or the battery please let me know.

94 DropTop · Feb 3, 2009

why not just take it out and have it charged? After the charge have your alt checked. You'll find out the problem right there, if nothing is wrong then you may have left a light on and didnt realize.

BlkoutGT · Feb 3, 2009

Charge your battery on a trickle charger, should restore it since its still good.

Spooling2Valve · Feb 3, 2009

what kind of battery is it?

vermilion · Feb 3, 2009

if it is a battery with caps on for water, fill it up and trickle charge it over night.

ram360 · Feb 4, 2009

Spooling2Valve said:
what kind of battery is it?

+1.

CanaryGT · Feb 4, 2009

Boxcarracer944 said:
Welp, left my head lights on due to being drunk and now my battery is dead.

I don't get it, a little time line for you's though.

Killed it Saturday night.
Jumped it and drove it around Sunday.
Started up Monday morning.
Died Monday during work. - Then, it wouldn't pop start, but it would jump start, wtf?

Took the battery to 3 different places all of them said it need's to be charged, the battery is still good.

Before you tell me it's the alternator, why would running the battery out with the headlights cause the alternator to go?

So, if you have something to tell me besides it's the alternator or the battery please let me know.

Pufft. Serves you right for drinking and driving..

MEstang · Feb 4, 2009

i'm gonna say being around your vehicle drunk is not a good idea.

olice:

Boxcarracer944 · Feb 4, 2009

ram360 said:
Spooling2Valve said:

what kind of battery is it?

Click to expand...

+1

BOSCH

Anyways, trickle charing it - I don't have one?
And, if I can jump it and drive it around, wouldn't that be same thing?

Javi · Feb 4, 2009

Charge the battery.

GearGambler · Feb 4, 2009

Boxcarracer944 said:
Anyways, trickle charing it - I don't have one?
And, if I can jump it and drive it around, wouldn't that be same thing?

once you jump the car, it can run on an almost dead battery - the alternator powers it. also, if you jump a dead battery, then take the cables off right after it starts up, you didnt give the battery time to recharge itself, and you put a very daunting task on the alternator - i've seen stock / tired alts fry as a result. i usually leave jumpers on for 10 mins prior to starting the car, and another 10 mins after the car is running - the car supplying the jump is running the entire time.

i agree with what was said above, get a good charge on the battery since its still a good battery (even the parts shops would do this for you) and then get the alt tested, you could have fried it. your problem exists in one of those two areas.

let us know what you find out!

mikey94gt · Feb 4, 2009

Check the battery voltage, both key off, key on and cranking if possible. then, check it with the engine running. key off should be about 12.5, key on should be about 12.4-11.9, and cranking should be the same. Engine running should be 14.5 at idle. if the battery drops voltage suddenly, it may need replacement. of course, check this after you charge it.

It doesnt sound like your alt is the cause, it sounds like the cells in the battery gave up. sometimes a deep discharge at cold temps will ruin a battery.

GearGambler · Feb 4, 2009

mikey94gt said:
it sounds like the cells in the battery gave up.

this is what i have my money on ^^^

CC'S95GT · Feb 4, 2009

1st: anyplace i ever took a batt to be ck'd said it would have to be charged fully before it could be load tested.
Next: once the batt is dead and the car is jumped the alt could have easily been overloaded and shorted itself out.
I say take them both out and charge the batt fully then take them both to be load tested.

94 DropTop · Feb 5, 2009

Ok i work at an autozone. SO if you have like 30-45 mins to kill do this. Drive up to AZ take the battery out there have them speed charge it and then test it. If the battery tests good put it back in the car and then hame them test the alt ON THE CAR. this way they can tell how many amps its putting out. make sure you charge the battery off the car before doing the alt test or you will get a false reading.