Battery dead?

Tiny
ZITAOS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
I bought this car two weeks ago. The next morning after purchase, the car would not start. Jumped fine. Purchased a new battery. Three days later, dead again. Took it in and had the alternator replaced. The next day after work, dead. Took it back in, they replaced the AC control module on the dash. The very next morning, would not start. I've had to jump the car 7 times in 14 days, driving me crazy! What's the most likely problem? Thanks!
Friday, January 25th, 2008 AT 11:24 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get the alternator and battery load tested this will tell if its putting out and its taking it. Also possible that you have an electrical short with the system that is more than 0.30 milliamps typical parasitic draw

these guides will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 1:21 AM
Tiny
ZITAOS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Brand new alternator and battery. I know the alternator works because if I drive it for a while, the car starts up fine, it's overnight or after an eight hour shift that I find the car dead.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 1:30 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
That's what am trying to get at-get it check out for an electrical short or do you want to do it yourself and I'll give you a crash course? Your call
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 1:35 AM
Tiny
ZITAOS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It seems the mechanic can't find the short, is there a way for me to hunt it down myself?
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 1:38 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Lets start simple-get a test light and disconnect the battery positive cable put the test light in between the battery cable and battery positive post-the test light should lit if a short is present.

If so start removing fuses one by one till the test light turns off-this is where your trouble circuit is.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2008 AT 6:12 AM
Tiny
GIGABOO1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Battery dead and keys will not open doors
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi gigaboo1, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Low or dead battery will cause the door lock solenoid not to engage-If you can get to the starter battery terminal underneath hook up a charger and charge the battery thru there, this will help you to get the door open and get to the battery
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JITTER700
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
  • 120,000 MILES
I really do not know what to do. I have a 99 Honda accord. I went out and the battery seems to be totally dead. I mean nothing. So got neighbor to help JumpStart it. As soon as cables were hooked up a loud alarm horn started going off. When the cables were removed the horn stopped. I do not have any friends to drive me around. I don't think I have enough money to have it towed somewhere to be fixed. What do I do?
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The horn may be your anti theft unit and your key fob may take care of it. But dsounds like your battery is bad but test it first, auto parts and tirestores do it for free.
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+1
Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CONNOQUENESSING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Dear Gentlemen,

I went on military tour for a year overseas. Due to a logistical issue, I was unable to store my car on base with my battery disconnected. My girlfriend was unable to run the car a couple times a month and the car is now dead. I am trying to revive it. The mobile mechanic I called to come over and possible fix it will not provide me with a probable prognosis and he carried no equipment with him. Why is the car dead (probably) and what do I need to buy (with ability to return-no worries) so I can get this fixed in one goaround without incurring 2 $60 initial hour consulting fees. Appreciate your help.

Stephen Miller
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
New battery? Does it crank? Any power to lights, radio?
Let me know
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CONNOQUENESSING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Doc Fixit,

Thank you for your reply. It is the same battery I had previous year. It does not crank. No lights, etc. Just a straight new battery?

Thanks

Stephen Miller
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Battery discharged that long probably shot. Get new battery and let me know if it fires up.
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPACEDOUTINSPACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
I left my keys in the ignition over night and the battery died, while trying to jump it it wouldnt click over, the lights go all crazy and everything blinks, the right blinker will turn on for a little while even when the keys are out. Lights dont dim when trying to turn on the car.
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi spacedoutinspace,

Symptoms seem to point to a bad ignition switch. Does all the dash lights shows when in ON position? Slowly turn to START, if the dash indicators lights flickers, the ignition switch is bad.
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
961JTD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 285,000 MILES
Hi,
I had an excellent battery on this car was was running really well. The car was parked (unused) for around 8 days and now there is no life in it if I try to switch on the ignition. There are no lights on the panel at all. Just dead. I tried to jump start the car using a ford falcon as a booster battery. But still no response from the Honda.
I also checked the fuses. Under the bonnet plus under the steering inside. All good.
Any other things which I need to check?
Thanks in advance
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Get the battery charged & load tested, this is the only true way of testing a battery condition, check all the terminals are clean & tight, also do a current draw test on the electrical system, start here and if it wont start re post for more assistance.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E&PNASCAR1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144 MILES
93 accord battery keeps going dead, put 3 new batterys in
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Have the electrical system checked for a drain on the battery. There will be a little bit due to the computers' memory circuits, but the industry standard is 35 milliamps, (.035 amps). At that rate the engine should start after sitting for three weeks.

Look for a glove box light not turning off or aftermarket audio equipment wired incorrectly.

Also check the charging system to be sure it is recharging the battery. If it is not, you can charge the battery with a battery charger, then the engine should start many days later if there is no drain on it. Once the engine is running, use an inexpensive digital voltmeter to measure battery voltage. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. If it is low, you have a charging system problem.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HEADBC
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1992 HONDA ACCORD
My 1992 Honda Accord EX had the battery go dead. I replaced it. A week later the new battery is dead.
I must have a short somewhere. Any ideas?
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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)

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