Got a jumpstart, now can't start again

braun_2

Technical_Dave wrote: »

But for god sake stop arsing about and buy a new battery!

Lol thanks

Weird_Nev

A basis multimeter is a worthwhile investment. Whilst it may not do the full load test of a battery, it's a useful diagnostic tool for all sorts of things.

Just after buying our car we did some off roading including some sever corrugations. The next morning the car wouldn't start. We got a jump start and made it home. Multimeter tests showed 10.6V on the battery, but 13.8V with the car running. We'd dislodged a plate in the battery, and lost a cell.

New battery sorted it (the friendly batter shop did a full load test to check my diagnosis was correct).

richard734

That should be fine, but please, get a jumpstart from a friend or neighbor and take it to them, or any other local garage. It will get you back on the road quicker than waiting for a delivery, and they will fit it for you while you wait if you are not technically minded.

missile

You do not say what lead up to

My car would not start for 2 days, possible battery or alternator or starter motor.

I can't be arsed looking for your previous thread.

closed

that's what links are for

Joe_Horner

Technical_Dave wrote: »

Voltage test of a car battery means pretty much b*gger all. You need to do a drop test to see if it's any good.

A drop tester is basically a giant resistor which measures if the battery can supply a good voltage at high load. Any half reasonable garage will have one. Takes only a few seconds to check.

Or (a log as there's enough life in it to operate the starter solenoid) measure the voltage across the battery while someone else turns the key to "start" and holds it there. The starter itself then acts as the big resistor

If you don't have anyone to turn the key you can give a less severe test by turning on everything electrical you can find - ignition, lights, hazards, fog lights, radio, heated screens - and measuring across the battery while it's powering those.

In both cases, give it an overnight (or all day if you're not happy leaving a charger on overnight) charge first because a flat battery will respond very much like a dead one under load.


eta: in my younger days I used to test them in the absence of a voltmeter by holding a wire coat hanger across the terminals. If it got warm it was dud, if it glowed bright red it was ok. Do NOT try this at home, kids

Strider590

Technical_Dave wrote: »

Voltage test of a car battery means pretty much b*gger all. You need to do a drop test to see if it's any good.

A drop tester is basically a giant resistor which measures if the battery can supply a good voltage at high load. Any half reasonable garage will have one. Takes only a few seconds to check.

But for god sake stop arsing about and buy a new battery!

Finally, someone else talking sense!!!

closed

checked your blood pressure recently?

It's only an indicator of potential imminent death, but worth doing

missile

closed wrote: »

that's what links are for

Like I said - I couldn't be arsed, but thanks to your "helpful" suggestion I did and surprise surprise most told OP to get a new battery. Why post two separate threads?

closed

you can be arsed to post two pointless posts, but can't be arsed to click on the link provided in post one which answers the question posed in post 15.

why get uptight about it, it's not the end of the world.