D'oh! The vehicle won't start. Is it just a dead battery?

sniffa

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:18 PM
Original message

D'oh! The vehicle won't start. Is it just a dead battery?

I turn the key and not a thing happens. :shrug:

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ScreamingMeemie

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:21 PM
Response to Original message

1. It could be a dead battery, or your alternator is going/gone.

Try jumping it. If it jumps, it was probably a dead battery. If it starts and then slowly looses juice again, your alternator is shot.

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sniffa

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #1

8. I'm going to give AAA a call to jump me

I used to have cables but I have no idea what happened to them.

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LeftyMom

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:22 PM
Response to Original message

2. Can you hear the starter clicking?

Or nothing at all.

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sniffa

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:30 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. nothing at all

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DS1

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:28 PM
Response to Original message

3. no dash lights?

battery

if there's clicking, starter

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sniffa

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. Yeah, I think it's the battery

I'm just curious what was left on that killed it. Lights off, beacon (it's my van) off. :shrug:

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DS1

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #7

9. the sudden cold can kill off an older battery

it's happened to me in the past after the first night of freeze

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #7

12. sometimes they just die.

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WCIL

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:31 PM
Response to Original message

5. Be sure you HAVE a battery

Mine was stolen once. Didn't realize until I called someone to come give me a jump.

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DS1

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. one of my thoughts, too

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flvegan

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:35 PM
Response to Original message

10. Someone took yer engine, dood!

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LeftyMom

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:37 PM
Response to Original message

11. If it'll jump,

most chain car parts stores (Autozone, etc- I don't know who you have out there in the hinterlands) will charge and test your battery for the low, low price of free.

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flvegan

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:44 PM
Response to Reply #11

13. AAA does the onsite battery replacement thing now, too.

They'll come out to jump it, but they'll test it first. If it fails, they'll replace it for the cost of the new battery.

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sniffa

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:51 PM
Response to Reply #13

14. I'll probably need cash for that.

Any idea what they'll charge for that? Yes, I know nothing about cars. :/

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DS1

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #14

16. If you have AAA, the visit will be free, you'll probably have to pay for the battery

and a tip for the work is typically expected. Enough for a hot coffee or a 6 pack of beer, depending on the time of day

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flvegan

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #14

17. My Protege cost me $65.

Your van probably has a more heavy duty battery. I used my ATM card. They just phone the charge in.

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LeftyMom

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #13

15. I know.

I assumed he didn't have AAA because if he did he'd probably be calling them instead of asking a bunch of morans for a Fristian remote diagnosis. ;)

Anyhow, it's his work van and I don't know if you can get AAA on an obviously commercial vehicle.

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flvegan

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Sat Oct-25-08 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #15

18. I read the whole article.

Doing my usual thorough research of a thread, I took particular interest in Post #8.

It's this type of observation that I'll find useful when I'm King.

Also, as I recall, AAA goes with the member, not the vehicle. Anything you're in, they'll provide service to.

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LeftyMom

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Sat Oct-25-08 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #18

19. Next time I'm going to bite you on purpose.

:eyes:

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