Now what? the car won't start

eta Epsilon · 03-30-2009, 08:51 AM

OK, here is the story.

Last week, my batterie died because I left the lights on.

My friend boosted me.

This past saturday, I re-wire the speakers of my car. Everything was working just fine. I did not tried to start the car, but the radio was playing.

Sunday afternoon, I tried to start the car. Nothing, nada, niet. Nothing was moving in the dash.
I boosted the E30 with my other car. I left it run for about 15 minutes.
I turned off the car. I turned it on right away and it worked.

Got out this morning, tried to start the car...nothing. Not even a sign of life.

I your opinion, do you think the batterie can only be completely dead?
Is it possible that I fried something while installing the radio that could allow the batterie to lose all it's power?

I'm open to suggestions!!!

punnzzells · 03-30-2009, 09:12 AM

Sounds like you have a dead cell in your battery.... however, it takes about 40 minutes for the battery to fully charge.

try boosting it and go driving for 30 - 40 minutes, then come back.... let the car sit for an hour or two, then try to start it up.....

if it doesn't want to start.... sounds like a dead cell.

eta Epsilon · 03-30-2009, 09:39 AM

If I bring my dead batterie to Canadian tire, can they confirm if I have a dead cell?

matty.dc · 03-30-2009, 09:53 AM

i dont know how there battery testers work, but it will in one way or another will tell them youre battery is gone if thats the case.

lvan · 03-30-2009, 09:55 AM

^ Yes they can. I brought my in and they tested. I would do that first. You got nothing to lose. In case if you got a good battery, was your starter changed recently? I would say you have a bettery problem.

eta Epsilon · 03-30-2009, 10:04 AM

No, I've installed a new radio, but everything was working after the install.
I'll try CT first.

richie_s999 · 03-30-2009, 10:16 AM

get an OPTIMA battery they are the only ones worth buying!!!!1

eta Epsilon · 03-30-2009, 11:09 AM

Why?
Is Optima batterie really better than the other?

everlast · 03-30-2009, 12:45 PM

A load test at CT should tell you if the battery is good or bad. You should also check the voltage of the car when running; it should be around 13.5V to 14V when all accessories are off, and with all on (with high beam lights, rear defogger, heater fan at 4) it shouldn't drop below 13V.

If you take care of your battery (never let it get low or die) then most any battery will do. Likely when it died recently, one cell either sulfated or warped the plates and caused them to touch, rendering the battery garbage.

Letting a battery go dead is the worst thing you can do to it.

eta Epsilon · 03-30-2009, 08:12 PM

I went to C.T. to test the batterie.
RIP

I got a new one. I installed it and the car is alive once more.

Now, if it does not start tomorrow morning, I have a real problem...

eta Epsilon · 03-31-2009, 08:36 AM

Started the car this morning, everything seems normal.

Drove for a while, then notice the batterie light was on in the dash.

Looked in the rear view mirror and...holy***t there was a lot of white smoke at the back of the car.

I pulled out to the nearest gas station.

1. There is now a liquid in the tray that support the batterie. Can the batterie spill? If yes, what could cause that? I bought the batterie last night!!!

2. I opened the hood, and I think there was some coolant spilled.

3. There was a liquid on the front of the engine, between the block and the fan. I was dress for work, so I could not really investigate.

Any ideas?
Sometimes I wish I never bought that car...

everlast · 03-31-2009, 10:58 AM

That does not sound good. It also sounds like completely separate problems.

1. The battery can spill. It has a vent tube on one side; did you hook the small rubber hose up to it? The battery may have been overfilled. That is acid: wash it off carefully and don't get it on your skin.

2. Coolant doesn't spill, it leaks.

3. The description of the white smoke + coolant under the hood sounds like your head gasket took a shit. That means your motor is burning coolant, which is mostly water. The white smoke is steam + coolant smoke.

Check the coolant level, and examine the coolant color in the overflow tank. Also pull the oil cap off and look at the oil in under the valve cover. Does it all look normal? Or do you see a milkshake color?

eta Epsilon · 03-31-2009, 11:03 AM

1. I did not connect the tube. I did not know there was a tube. I'll check that out.

2. I'll chek the oil tonight. I left the car at a gas station...

Damn, I'm gonna place that money pit and let it rust away...

Quote:

Originally Posted by everlast

That does not sound good. It also sounds like completely separate problems.

1. The battery can spill. It has a vent tube on one side; did you hook the small rubber hose up to it? The battery may have been overfilled. That is acid: wash it off carefully and don't get it on your skin.

2. Coolant doesn't spill, it leaks.

3. The description of the white smoke + coolant under the hood sounds like your head gasket took a shit. That means your motor is burning coolant, which is mostly water. The white smoke is steam + coolant smoke.

Check the coolant level, and examine the coolant color in the overflow tank. Also pull the oil cap off and look at the oil in under the valve cover. Does it all look normal? Or do you see a milkshake color?

everlast · 03-31-2009, 11:06 AM

Is your battery in the trunk or under the hood?

eta Epsilon · 03-31-2009, 11:09 AM

in the trunk

Do you have any idea why the battery light is on in the dash?