Car Wouldn't Start

[Decius]

Hey guys,

I need some help please. After driving for a while around the cityyesterday, I parked my 1999 Alero (3.4L V6) in a lot downtown. I went for a quick walk, and came back to my car. When I tried to start it, the first try the engine started to turn but eventually failed. After that it wouldn't start, and I couldn't even hear the fuel pump engaging as you normally can when you start this car. So I call up a friend for a boost. We hook up the cables, and I turn the ignition. Fuel pump engages as normal, and car starts. We disconnect the cables, and I turn my car off. I give it a few minutes. Turn it back on, and it works fine.

Now it's rather aparent to me that it's something with the battery or electrical system. I'm assuming the battery is the original that came with the car (I bought the car used a year ago) as it has AC Delco lables on it. My question is this...should I just replace the battery or should I get a dealership to use their little tool and check to ECM for error codes? Or is it even the battery?

[MP3_SKY]

After you drive back home and next morning, is the car start?
Sometimes it's becasue of the altenrator that doesnt hold the battery charge.

[Whitedart]

Hey guys,

Now it's rather aparent to me that it's something with the battery or electrical system. I'm assuming the battery is the original that came with the car (I bought the car used a year ago) as it has AC Delco lables on it. My question is this...should I just replace the battery or should I get a dealership to use their little tool and check to ECM for error codes? Or is it even the battery?

If the check engine light is not on, do you think there will be an error code from the ECM?

I am inclined to think the battery needs replacement, if it is the original. Being a Delco, does it have that green eye (small circular window) on the top?

My experience has been 5-6 years of use for a battery. Once it starts to fail, I replace it. Costco's Kirkland brand batteries are probably about $55 range for that car.

[ah802]

Your car is of the age that you should change your battery! You dont need to pay for a diagnosis when you know that a 6-7 year old battery is in the machine. That said, there may be contributing problems.. such as hot day and a high drain (air conditioning). I would not be suprised that you ran into your first overheat.. and it showed up as high resistance starting; hence failure to start. Gas line lock-up is possible if the temps are too high, and when was the last time you had your fuel filter changed!

The fact that you seem to be the type that thinks 'don't change it if it isn't broke', I suspect you have a nightmare in the waiting. Get this machine fully maintaned.. (look at the manual) and do the things that haven't been done.. including a tranny fluid change. Otherwise, time to change it out for a new one at the dealership.

[Decius]

After you drive back home and next morning, is the car start?
Sometimes it's becasue of the altenrator that doesnt hold the battery charge.

Didn't have time to do it last night :mad:. I will check when I get off of work this afternoon, and report back lol. I tend to wonder, as the entire car seem to loose power...I lost all my presets on my stereo deck :(.

[Decius]

If the check engine light is not on, do you think there will be an error code from the ECM?

no check engine light, so yeah you're right the ECM won't give any results :cheesygri . Going to check for the green eye on the battery.

[Decius]

The fact that you seem to be the type that thinks 'don't change it if it isn't broke', I suspect you have a nightmare in the waiting. Get this machine fully maintaned.. (look at the manual) and do the things that haven't been done.. including a tranny fluid change. Otherwise, time to change it out for a new one at the dealership.

:lol: thanks for the other advice in your post. I'm not really a 'don't change it if it isn't broke' type. I keep up on my oil changes, check my fluids regularly (except for trany, doesn't seem to have a dipstick :mad: ), and keep track of tire pressure, etc. Basically I do maintain the car. I did miss my 125,000 KM recommended inspection, but other than that it's all good. I just don't drive this car that often since I moved downtown, so problems don't become aparent. Plus I'm not all that car smart, so it never donned on me to replace my battery :lol: :p.

[Whitedart]

...I lost all my presets on my stereo deck :(.

Yes, that is because the battery ran out of power. The stereo deck will use power to keep the settings, just like your computer. Unplug the power cord, and remove the battery from a motherboard, and watch the computer lose all of it's bios settings.

Think of a car battery as a large rechargable battery. The alternator keeps it charged up, but after a number of charging cycles and time, the battery will fail and need replacement.

[Decius]

:lol: I guess that would fit the definition of a lead-acid battery. It's all coming together now. A is now leading to B and to C in my head. Hockey hangovers suck!

So Costco batteries are ok quality?

[Whitedart]

So Costco batteries are ok quality?

They have been ok for me over the years. The first one I purchased was a Delco back about 1985. I currently have 3 cars plus a pickup truck, and have used Costco's batteries as replacements since, and each has lasted 5-7 years which has been quite reasonable given their cost.
Have used Sears Diehard and Can. Tire prior to that, and battery life was no different when the battery cost almost twice as much.
Mind you, I had the correct size battery for the vehicle, and provided the alternator had not failed, which has happened in 3 vehicles over the years.

[MP3_SKY]

I bought mine at CT for Elminator 79.99 (no special, but I need one in rush when my battery is dead), for 9.99 more, it get life time warranty as well.


I hear that if we bring in our old battery at CT, there will be a 5$ given? Anyone confirm that?

[Jin-n-Juice]

I bought mine at CT for Elminator 79.99 (no special, but I need one in rush when my battery is dead), for 9.99 more, it get life time warranty as well.


I hear that if we bring in our old battery at CT, there will be a 5$ given? Anyone confirm that?
Correct, you have to buy the new battery from CT and then return your new battery to CT with your receipt...

[MP3_SKY]

Correct, you have to buy the new battery from CT and then return your new battery to CT with your receipt...


you mean return the old one ,right?

Any time limitation? I bought the new battery since last december....can I still return it?

[Decius]

Being a Delco, does it have that green eye (small circular window) on the top?

Found the dot. It's pretty much all the way down at the bottom of the hole. I'm assuming that means the battery needs to be replaced.

[CRXGSR]

Found the dot. It's pretty much all the way down at the bottom of the hole. I'm assuming that means the battery needs to be replaced.

No, that's no what it means. If the color is green, it's okay. If it's black it's NOT okay. Just bring it into a shop and say "I think I need a battery, but can you test it first". Most shops will check it for free.

[dgmorr]

Get your alternator circuit checked.

[Whitedart]

Found the dot. It's pretty much all the way down at the bottom of the hole. I'm assuming that means the battery needs to be replaced.

Delco used to have a battery condition indicator on the top of the battery. About an inch and a half diameter, it would desplay a green tone when the battery condition was OK, even if discharged (low on pawer). It would look black when the battery condition was NOT OK and need to be replaced. Nothing needed to be opened on the battery to see this.

It sounds like you may have opened a cap to one of the cells, looking at the fluid level inside. If so, the fluid level should be high enough to cover the plates. That is acid inside with the cells, so be careful with it.

[Decius]

:lol: No I didn't open the battery. I am fully aware of the dangers a Lead-acid battery (Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead-acid_battery)) can pose. That and this battery in my car is SEALED. There is no way to open it.

The indicator on this battery is a window about 3/8" in diameter that appears to lead down a tube. Currenty there is a green dot (looks like a bauble of some sort) at the BOTTOM of this tube. It is green, not black. If you want I can post pics.

Really this is neither here nor there right now. I'm going to go take my car to the dealer that is about 2 blocks from where I live, and have them check the battery and alternator. Basically I'm going to talk with a mechanic face to face. However I will report back with my findings here.

Thanks to everyone thus far.

[Decius]

It's confimed. Battery is dead. Replaced it today. Thanks guys.