Quote:
Originally Posted by shorod
The first thing to check is the condition of the battery cables and their connection. Make sure the cables are clean and tight. Also make sure the cable connector ends are molded on the the cables and not the temporary type that clamp over the exposed copper cable and clamp the cable with a couple of bolts. These are prone to allowing the copper to corrode and cause bad connections.
Assuming your cables and connections are good, it sounds like you have a weak battery. If you have a multimeter you can test the condition of the battery and alternator. With the engine off and the car having been sitting for 15 minutes or more, the battery should hold at least 11.8 volts DC (battery). When trying to start the car the voltage should not drop below 9.5 volts DC (battery or starter load). Once started the battery voltage should be at least 13.8 volts DC (alternator).
If you find the battery is bad, take it back to where you bought it, preferably with the receipt in hand and have them test it. If it tests weak or borderline, have them replace it under warranty. Some places offer an 18-month free exchange, but at a minimum it should be pro-rated so you won't be paying the full price for a replacement battery.
-Rod
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I tested the battery and it was good using the multimeter. I also switched out the battery with a battery from another car. Again, it still won't start and I made sure the second battery was good cause I started the car it was in. So now I can rule out the battery. Can you test the alternator from the battery? I'm used to seeing a red cable going to the alternator but mine has a plug that has a X shaped mark in it with a black wire. Another black wire is held on by a small nut on the outside of the alternator. I tried touching the negative multimeter lead to the negative battery terminal and the positive to the inside of the plug on the alternator and that nut holding another wire on and found only small readings. I may not be touching it to the right thing. On the starter I know you can touch the postive to the nut covered by the red cap and negative to negative on battery and get the same reading as you would with both leads on the battery. What am I doing wrong? Is there another way to test the alternator? The starter is so much easier to test lol. A battery+jumper cables=solenoid action with the starter out of the car. Test over.