Mother been concerned about battery?

Tiny
PETER THE EATER
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
My mother has been concerned about her battery so she went and had it tested they said the battery was good. Yesterday was coming home from church and it took 4 turns of the key for it to crank. Is there a way I can test the alternator. Or do you think the cold weather is putting the WAMMO ON HER BATTERY? THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT?
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 8:01 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KRAKENAUTO
  • MECHANIC
  • 73 POSTS
Cold weather definitely can kill a battery if it's just starting to get weak. Do you know how old the battery is currently first?

Also wanted to confirm the vehicle because 2012 is showing a 3.6 not a 3.0 that year and wanted to make sure before looking at the charging system tests.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,314 POSTS
When you say it took 4 turns of the key before it started do you mean you turned the key to start and it turned over but didn't start and it took 4 tries to get it to start? Or that you turned the key to start and nothing happened until the 4rth time?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 3:11 PM
Tiny
PETER THE EATER
  • MEMBER
  • 35 POSTS
I think she told me it was 5 yesterday old but all she uses it 4is church on Sunday nd a few places during the week. It probably is a 3.6.I was not sure about the engine size. I do know it will do some serious ass haulin.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
PETER THE EATER
  • MEMBER
  • 35 POSTS
I'm not real sure about the number of times it took for her to get em cranked. Ole ladies tend to zageratte abit.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,314 POSTS
The reason I'm asking is that GM uses a prime signal when you turn on the key, that signal turns on the fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system. However if the systems check valve is failing or it has a weak pump it can take 3-4 tries to get the engine to start. So I was going to ask for a simple test. Turn the key to on, not start just run. Wait 2 seconds and repeat that twice more. Now try to start it, if it now starts and runs the pump check valve is likely the problem. It is part of the fuel pump. 80K on a 13 year old car usually means it sets around a lot. That can lead to corrosion in the fuel system and the spring for the check valve fails.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
PETER THE EATER
  • MEMBER
  • 35 POSTS
Thank you for your response. It's 10.55pm in Memphis tn. Right now. I got in the car this morning when it was parked in the garage, it cranked immediately. I then pulled it outside this morning and left it parked outside all day in the coldness we are having right now. After I ate supper I took out of here to take em on a test drive to appease mom. It took exactly 4 turns of the key to crank up. No battery drag just clicks. I am going to try that 15 min. Test you sent me. In a few minutes. Do you have a different analysis after my providing more info? Thankyou
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,314 POSTS
So your 4 turns were all the way to start but it did nothing just clicked? The engine didn't move until the 4th turn of the key? That would suggest a bad battery or cable connection or a bad starter.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 AT 1:11 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Battery Test Content

How to Test a Car Battery
VIDEO
How to Test a Car Battery
Instructional repair video
Battery Load Test
GUIDE
Battery Load Test
Load testing a car 12 volt battery might seem complicated, and it can be, many high end battery testers that cost hundreds for dollars are designed for it. But, you can get...