<font size=2 face="sans-serif">Dwade,</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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.)</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Moose</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">From:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Pat Horne <patintexas@icloud.com></font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">To:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Dwade Reinsch <dreinsch@swbell.net></font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Cc:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Shop-talk@autox.team.net</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Date:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">01/10/2024 09:52 AM</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Subject:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Re: [Shop-talk]
Stranded by a bad car battery.</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Sent by:
</font><font size=1 face="sans-serif">"Shop-talk"
<shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net></font>
<br>
<hr noshade>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3>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. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>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. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=3>Pat Horne </font>
<br><font size=3>We support Habitat for Humanity</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3><br>
On Jan 10, 2024, at 12:55 AM, Dwade Reinsch <dreinsch@swbell.net>
wrote:<br>
</font>
<br><font size=3></font>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Does anyone have a suggestion for identifying
a failing battery before being stranded? (Battery is about 4 years
old.)</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Thanks,</font>
<br><font size=1 face="Arial">Dwade</font>
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