Blknight6989

iTrader: (2)

So I am away at college and my dad called me twice in the last month saying every time he goesto start the car the battery is completely dead. What coudl be causing this? the fogs are turned off the radio is off and I don't have anything plugged into any of the lighters. Any ideas are appreciated as I am freaking out being 2k miles away and not being able to fix it or know whats wrong

Blknight6989

iTrader: (2)

Oh and when the car is first put on the charger there is a clicking noise and once its been on the charger it goes away

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

How long was it sitting before he tried to start it.

Blknight6989

iTrader: (2)

I'd say about 4 months

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Tell him to simply take the battery to an auto parts store and have it tested for free. Might just need a new one.

At least rule that out first.

DC8808

after you're 100% sure the battery is charged and holding a charge, if you've got a car sitting for just a few weeks and its completely drained, you've got a parasitic draw draining the battery.

PM me if i can be of any help

Blknight6989

iTrader: (2)

I actually just replaced it and its all good. Just an old battery. THanks guys

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

If you're gonna let the car sit again for a long time, disconnect the battery and take it out of the car and keep it on a charger in the garage.

I never have a problem with long-term storage, but I have a few friends with badass cars that are soemtimes NOT driven for 3-4 months at a time and they disconnect their battery cables, leave them in the car and just have charges hooked up to them 24/7. They've all been doing that literally for the 20 years I know them and their batteries last as long as they're supposed to last.


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Blknight6989

iTrader: (2)

Ya i've heard to do that as well and I did last winter when I was home but since Im away at college I asked my dad to do the storage procedure i usually do and he clearly didnt do everything I askd. All good now though and I know to take care of everything myself.

DC8808

I'd be careful about leaving a battery hooked up to a charger 24/7, unless you're doing a VERY VERY low amperage trickle charge. Even then 24/7 isn't nessecary. It'd be a shitty situation to come home to an exploded battery because it was left on the charger too long and got too hot.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Yes, they trickle charge them with whatever amperage works. Their batteries sometimes sit on the charger for 6 months with using the car sometimes.

Like I said I've never done it. All my cars get used all the time. But a few people I know have nbeen doing that for like 20 years.

hitmanws6

iTrader: (20)

if you are going to let it sit that long at least start the car a few times a week and let it run for 5 minutes. or get a gel cell battery and you wont have to worry about it