Why is my battery dying and my brand new starter bad already?

TBUG

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SL1
200,000 MILES

6 months ago I replaced my starter, my battery is dying all the time. I got alternator battery and starter tested. Batteryand alternator is good. My starter is bad again. Starter usually works but my batter is always dying. Is there a reason why? Is there something else killing them?

Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 2:19 PM

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

You may have a drain in the system or parasitic draw. A shop can check this for you.

As far as the starter, was it a new or used unit?

Roy

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Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 2:26 PM

SATURNTECH9

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Just to add to this one I have seen some of the aftermarket starters fail in a short time. How do you know the starter is bad did you have it tested?Also good point roy was it used or new or rebuilt?

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Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 3:40 PM

SATURNTECH9

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Also another thing I have seen is self discharging batteries meaning they just wont hold a charge and they go dead all by themselves.

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Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 3:43 PM

TBUG

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2 POSTS

First starter was brand new. Went this morning and bought a rebuilt starter just put it in today and had it tested again. It still says low cranking amps. Why would it test bad? Also, last year it wouldnt start, I bypassed clutch pressure switch. Could that be draining it or have to do with bad starter test?

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Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 6:38 PM

SATURNTECH9

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Low cranking amps for a starter?Those are test results for a bad battery.A starter is said to be bad for too high of cranking amps. Meaning the starter is drawing too many amps when its working.

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Sunday, April 29th, 2012 AT 5:17 AM