During the time it took me to complete the valve cover gasket task, I would still use my cars battery to charge my phone and other devices (because I currently live in my car and that's what I had to do). I forgot to turn off the power converter once after unplugging my device, so it ran all day while I was at work. When I tried to roll my windows up, I of course couldn't because the battery had been pretty well drained - which is understandable and was expected.
So, I completed the valve cover gasket task later that night or possibly the following night - I knew my battery was dead so I hooked it up jumper cables to another car so I could bleed the fuel line and then see if the car would start.I was able to bleed the fuel line just fine but when I would try to start the car it would turn over (kind of) but wouldn't catch. I mean, it did catch a couple times but only for a quick second and then would lose it. The whole time though, everything sounded sluggish - which to me it sounded like it does when a battery is still too dead to actually fire up. So I left it connected to the other car for a while longer and tried again - same thing.
So I took the battery to AutoZone and they charged it and then tested it and it came back 100% which it should have because it less than a year old. I hooked it back up in the car, turned it to accessory a few times to let the fuel pump run a little and everything seemed just fine. The dash lights came on and they were super bright when they were dull the previous time, so I went ahead and tried to start it. As soon as I turned the key all the way - everything died, and stayed that way. The only thing I can think of is the alternator has gone out?
Thank you for your time and advice.
Sunday, October 5th, 2025 AT 8:46 AM
