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

[eric at megageek.com]

Dwade,
I had a problem this summer with a modern car (and one of the reason I 
think I'm keeping all my current cars for the rest of my life.)

It was a 2017 FIAT 500.  We drove about 4 hours and stopped for a bite to 
eat.  About 30 mins later, car wouldn't start, key turned normally to the 
'on' position, but wouldn't turn to the start position, AND we couldn't 
remove it.  All idiot lights were lit on the dash.

So now we have a car we can't start, can't remove the key, and no idea 
what is the problem.  Car had not given any prior warnings.

I called a local tow shop and it was one of my buddies that told me over 
the phone, it's a dead battery.  I couldn't believe it.  The car was just 
running, so the battery should be charged as best as it could be.

Well, he shows up (with a new battery that I asked him to get on his way.) 
 5 mins to replace the battery and all was well.

I would NEVER have guessed a dead battery, but these modern cars are so 
full of sensors and circuits, that weird things can, AND WILL, happen.

Moose



From:   Pat Horne <patintexas at icloud.com>
To:     Dwade Reinsch <dreinsch at swbell.net>
Cc:     Shop-talk at autox.team.net
Date:   01/10/2024 09:52 AM
Subject:        Re: [Shop-talk] Stranded by a bad car battery.
Sent by:        "Shop-talk" <shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net>



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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