[Shop-talk] Stranded by a bad car battery.

[Pat Horne]

Dwade, only times I’ve had similar problems was when the temperature dropped to near freezing for the first time going into winter. I’ve only had it happen when the car has been sitting cold for the night. Without remembering to take the vehicle to get the battery checked when cold weather is coming, it’s just hit & miss. 

One other thought though. My 2017 Camry draws a lot of power when the key is on but the engine off. There is even a warning in the manual to have the engine running while programming the car from the LCD display. I disregarded that warning for a 5 minute programming & the car barely started. Battery is good & I’ve had no problem since. That was over a year ago. 

Pat Horne 
We support Habitat for Humanity


On Jan 10, 2024, at 12:55 AM, Dwade Reinsch <dreinsch at swbell.net> wrote:


This afternoon I was sitting in the 2016 Honda Odyssey van waiting for granddaughter to finish a theater activity and I went to sleep in the front seat.  Had the radio and inside lights on.  When she finished and came out, car would not start.  Completely dead.  Electric seat would not come back to driving position, etc.

Here's the question:  In the old days a weak battery would give notice by cranking slowly, etc., before failing.  This is the car I drive regularly and it gave NO warning.  Luckily, I could call son-in-law and he came to help.  Would not start with good set of booster cables.  Would not start with 15 minutes of charging on cables before attempting to start.  So in the morning I'll take pickup and tools and pull battery, get a replacement, and move the van home.

Does anyone have a suggestion for identifying a failing battery before being stranded?  (Battery is about 4 years old.)

Thanks,
Dwade
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