festiva won't start unless jumped...

[ehh1971]

problem started a few months back and bought a new battery. still needed jumped. thought i had a drain, removed every accessory (stereo amp and fog lights). still would not start. removed negative terminal overnight and still would not start the next day. alternator charges fine according to parts store, i even put my voltmeter on battery terminals when running and get 14+ volts. car will not start off of a jump pack either. it will only start if being jumped.

could this be a starter issue? could this be an ignition switch issue? buddy of mine thinks maybe i got a battery with a dead cell. please provide me with suggestions.

i had a topic on here a few months back about the switch that allows you to shift out of park (not neutral safety, can't ever remember the name of the part). i ended up cable tying the switch so i would not even have to have my foot on the brake to shift. could this be the problem? i can't remember if it started doing this before or after i made this modification.

[Pu241]

take car/battery to mcparts place and have battery load tested!

Otherwise, I wonder if you have a starter issue.

Atx or manual?

If manual, can you push start it?

[ehh1971]

it is automatic. i will have to have it load tested i guess.

[packrat427]

Is it a Walmart battery ??

Sounds like a bad cell , bad cell can cause so many problems , sometimes they won't even jump start .

[ehh1971]

yes unfortunately, it is a battery from walmart. an "ever start", or as the guy at the parts store called it, a "never start"...

[Pu241]

Yeah, had mine 3 weeks and had to take it back!
Been fine ever since.
Just make sure you have your receipt!

[ehh1971]

so did you just exchange the 'never start" or did you get a refund and go somewhere else and get a different brand. if so, what kind?

[Pu241]

Just exchanged for another one!
But I had a 5 Spd so easy to push start!
So was going to keep exchanging till they got tired of me!

[packrat427]

Yep , if it is the yellow bottom , it should be a 7 year warranty with a 3 year free replacement .

Mine usually lasted 6 mos. to the day .

The last time I went to return mine , there was 5 of us standing in line , same battery , same problem :twisted:

[ehh1971]

sounds like i should take mine back regardless of whether it is bad or not...take my money and buy another brand.

[Maxtiva]

Yes good idea !!!

[jglutz]

I have the same problem....but not with the car.... with me

[FestYboy]

suggestion: do a voltage drop test accross the positive cable from the battery to the starter, also clean your ground cable or add another block to chassis/battery ground cable.