Will not start

[goodbabbu]

Hey guys,

I think i am having some battery/alternator probs, not very sure though.

The temp went to -37 last night and today, my festy did not start. So i called my buddy, and boosted the battery..
it started up fine.. and then i turned it off after letting it run for almost 25minutes.. NO START again.
So, i boosted again and went around town.. just giving it another try.. but once turned off.. it won't start.

Now i am just wondering if its the alternator or battery problem. How can all of sudden battery just die..

One more thing, has anyone put a plug-in thing for the battery during winter time??

thanks for the help in advance

[elcamino1]

Was the alternator light on?
Thats what batterys do die all at once with no warning!

[mechanicaldj]

your alternator is not a battery charger

and if you were able to drive around after a jump start and not die after hitting the brakes...........

chances are you will need a new battery

[wcbarker]

Disconnecting the battery while it is running will tall you if alt is still good.
If it is it will stay running with the battery unhooked

[goodbabbu]

wow! i had no idea batteries can die without any warning.. I will check about the alternator if that is the case..

Assuming battery is at fault, any ideas to what battery should i get? i was thinking getting an "excide" or is it just more of a brand name with same stuff as others?

[hawkdoc60]

Most of the batteries sold at auto parts stores are made by the same company, but with different labels. I believe Exide is the company. I have had the best luck with Sears DieHards, or with the top-of-the-line auto parts store batteries with the lifetime warranty. In reality, though, if you don't want to spend the extra bucks for the Diehard or lifetime warranty ones, it doesn't really matter what brand you get.

[goodbabbu]

Another quick Q i wanna ask is, i noticed my festy doesn't have a "plug-in" for overnight charge.
Can someone shed some light on that.. i have been searching on that stuff for the past 30 mins but haven't had any luck finding it.

If our cars dont have it, can we wire it? Does that thing charge the battery or keep it alive, i have no idea what it does?

[wcbarker]

Overnight charge?????????????? You mean block heater right.

[goodbabbu]

i have no idea .. that is why i was asking...
i have seen cars in my parking lot plugged into A/C power plugs..

[hawkdoc60]

The block heater or battery heater are aftermarket items you would need to purchase and install.

[ch33z3x]

Your car should have one, or a plug for it. I'm not sure where the plug is on the engine block, maybe one of the less lazy people can post a pic of it. If you can find the plug, cords to fit are cheap. Or, you could buy one of the magnetic ones that sticks to your oil pan.

[gdawgs]

Your car should have one, or a plug for it. I'm not sure where the plug is on the engine block, maybe one of the less lazy people can post a pic of it. If you can find the plug, cords to fit are cheap. Or, you could buy one of the magnetic ones that sticks to your oil pan.

His car may not have one. Block heaters are generally not installed from the factory. Mostly a dealer option or after market.

There are several types, but I prefer the frost plug type. They are pretty easy to install, and you are putting the heat right where you need it.

Here's an example.

http://www.amazon.com/Kats-11411-Watt-Frost-Heater/dp/B000I8VK8U/ref=au_pf_ss_1?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&carId=001

[rcottle]

Another quick way to check your alternator is to take a long metal screwdriver to the pulley while it is running if it has a strong magnetic attraction (pulls the screwdriver against itself) it is working. If it only has a little bit of magnetisum or none then you have a charging problem.

[goodbabbu]

so the batt was the culprit... i changed it yesterday and now my festy is rocking like a break-dancer.

[FestYboy]

for future referance, DO NOT under any circumstance, disconect a battery while the car is running, EVER!!! can cause damage to alt and other electronics. the battery is the only thing keeping any stray AC voltage from going through your system.