I have an 88 Toyota Camy and when the battery runs down due to leaving
a map light on, for instance, I can jump the battery with no problem
but as soon as the cables are removed, the engine stops. I can take
the battery and get it charged and then everything is fine.

One time we got it charged and it worked fine for a few days and then
the engine kept wanting to stall. If it stalled, we would have to
jump it and it would last awhile. So we took it to the shop and they
said it was just loose cables. They checked everything out and it all
looked good to them. So they tightened them up and it has been
working for quite awhile now.

But, whenever it gets drained all the way, as it just did when my son
left the overhead light on, I can't just jump it and let the battery
charge on its own. What could cause this? Would a bad alternator do
this? When they test the battery they say it is fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Kevin

You didn't state the age of the battery --If 3-4 years replace it

"Kevin Boylan" <k_boylan@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:vvr7lv01r3e8kjsp1q1ng5v82iq52lcqj1@4ax.com...

I assume they are qualified mechanics? If so they
should have a load tester to test the battery.
They should also have a tester to test the alternator.
How about the alt belt? is it tight and in good shape?
If you have run the battery down this many times it
is time for a new one anyway...clean battery cables
are a must too.

like Rob said get your car checked out, also it is hard on the
alternator making it recharge a battery, you should charge it with a
charger. Every time a battery fully discharges it looses some of its
recharge ability, and wont fully recover 100%. I have purchased several
cheap brands of batteries that were garbage after one year. Its most
likely a bad battery

Were you assuming that the alternator was going to charge the battery?
If so, it is an erroneouls assumption. Get yourself a 10 amp plug into
the wall charger, connect it to the batery and let it charge all night.
An alternator will with luck supply the immediate needs of the vehicle
and maintain the charge on the battery, but it wasn't designed to charge
it from scratch.

Kevin Boylan wrote:

I would assume that if my car won't start because I left my lights on,
and I jump the battery, I should be able to drive around for awhile
and recharge the battery. I've done that lots of times with other
cars and so does everyone else I know. That's all I'm talking about, I
was not able to do that.

On Tue, 02 Sep 2003 23:44:49 GMT, Gary Danaher <gdanaher@comcast.net>
wrote:

"Kevin Boylan" <k_boylan@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:vvr7lv01r3e8kjsp1q1ng5v82iq52lcqj1@4ax.com...
Could be a couple of things happening: when you remove the battery cables
the alternator will run at full voltage as it tries to charge a battery it
sees as having zero voltage. This is dangerous as the open-loop output from
an alternator can reach 16volts. This can but not allways damamge the
on-board electronics. Having said that if the computer has not closed down,
the alternator should still allow the car to run. If the alt has none or
little output the car will stall.

I would check your alternator maximum charge rate is correct, and make sure
your cables are making proper contact with the battery posts and the -ve
cable with the engine block

Jason

"Kevin Boylan" <k_boylan@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:cidalvkoet7jjssfpr5c6pjopprotjpnmt@4ax.com...
adequate charge. It just depends on the age and condition of the battery. If
you could always re-charge a dead battery, they would last forever. They
don't.

Modern so-called "maintenance free" batteries can be more easily damaged by
discharge than older designs. Plus, many maintenance free batteries actually
need maintenance (more water) from time to time, even though their owners
assume no maintenance is necessary. This causes even more problems for
modern batteries.

I would check the voltage at the battery when the motor is running. It
should be slightly above 14 volts. Then load the alternator by turning on
headlights etc and see that the voltage stays around the same. The
alternator should be able to run the car, lights, etc and have sufficient
left over to keep the voltage above 14 volts.
If the voltage drops then check the alternator fuse (bolted in) and the
voltage leaving the alternator. If low at the alternator then the alternator
needs looking at.
--

John
"Jason James" <flyhi@byplane.com> wrote in message
news:VGa5b.79315$bo1.2144@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

If you ran the battery flat, you need a charger/power inverter to
chaarge the battery over a number of hours. As stated by others there
could well be other problems with the alternator, but these are in
addition to a discharged battery. Buy a charger. You need one anyway,
just on general principals.

Kevin Boylan wrote:

I have this Interstate battery installed 3 years ago. Its label says
it's good for 64 months. Now it's only been 36 months. I jump-
started my car yesterday and drove it on local streets for about 20
minutes. I assume that's enough to recharge it. But today my car is
dead again.

Since I know nothing about cars. I have some questions to ask. 1st,
please take a look at the picture that I linked, is that a maintenance-
free battery?

http://i37.tinypic.com/29osrvr.jpg

2nd. On the nagative terminal (right), there is some brownish bubble-
like stuff. Is that corrosion? Should I wipe the terminal clean?

3rd, I'm reading battery maintenance online right now. They all say
check to see if the battery has low fluid level. If it's not
maintenance-free kind, I assume the two black pieces on top of this
battery are the caps I should remove and take a peek inside. Right?

4th, How much distilled water should I add? Where do I get distilled
water?

That's probably too many questions asked here. And you might suggest
just go get a new battery. But it'll help me to learn a bit about
*cars*. Thanks.

"cicada" <ryinmail@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f9501c2f-886f-47cf-b21f-d94ac1a28c7c@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
You need to clean the terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water. Use
an old toothbrush and wash it off with lots of plain tap water. Do this on
both terminals.

The term maintenance free is a croc (except for a few completely sealed
batteries). After you clean the terminals and thoroughly wash the top of
battery with lots of clean tap water, you should open the caps and fill with
distilled water only. Make absolutely sure you only add a little at a time
and do not overfill. If you overfill and water spills out, you will have
batter acid on the top of the battery which can cause problems for you and
your battery. It is best to use a turkey baster to make sure you only add
what is needed.


You can get distilled water at any grocery or discount store where they sell
water by the gallon. Should cost about $1.00. But only add water if the
water level has gone below the level of the metal plates (or is just barely
over the metal plates). Do not overfill.

"cicada" <ryinmail@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f9501c2f-886f-47cf-b21f-d94ac1a28c7c@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
Hi.

For sure clean up the battery connectors and the connector that's
attached to the leads.

Regarding Maintenance free batteries.
Like another has said " that's a crock"
That's not a UK expression but I understand it.

When I was working ( retired now ) I was responsible for Patient Ventilators
fitted to S.C.B.U ( Special Care Baby Units )
These were sent out in an ambulance to collect premature babies some
weighing
way less that 2 KG.
Running from 12 volt car batteries.

The batteries were checked EVERY week.
They were marked Maintenance Free.

But I was told by a MAJOR battery supplier.
POP the top covers, check fluid levels, like you did in the old days.
They did need topped up from time to time.

The original Panasonic battery on my 1995 CAMRY bought from new
lasted an unbelievable 9 and a half year.
Cost from TOYOTA to replace like for like was near US$600.!!!!!!!!!!

I put a standard one in..Major manufacturer its at 3 and a half years now
60 months warranty. Its cost was US£90.

Fingers crossed.
It could be of course that your alternator requires attention.

Johnny UK

"cicada" <ryinmail@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f9501c2f-886f-47cf-b21f-d94ac1a28c7c@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
Where do you live? In the south-I live in Dallas Texas-those batteries that
will not allow you to add water-last 2 to 3 years..because of the intense
heat..

It's probably the intense heat in the engine compartment that's
shortening the life of the battery. I do change out the battery every
5-6 years no questions asked. Because the cost of an alternator is
much more than a good Johnson Controls Inc battery sold under Autozone
(Gold line), WalMart (~$45), Interstate, even Toyota.

I'll stay away from Exide, those don't seem to last as long. Go for AC
Delco Maintenance Free, these are pretty good for about $80--90. But
these Delcos 24Fs are hard to find.

Like others said:

1. Where do you live? A hot climate can shorten the life of the
battery.
2. You need to periodically clean the terminals. Looks like heat is
boiling the acid out of the battery (vapor) and collecting onto the
terminals.
3. How's your alternator? Diode bridge all working? Voltage regulation
working? Parts stores like NAPA and Autozone do free tests.
4. Do you have a heat shield around the battery? It helps prolong the
life of the battery.
5. Sounds like you are experiencing failure #4 below

One thing, maintenance free batteries have different plate alloy that
out gasses less. So there is less electrolyte loss - doesn't mean none
under high heat, but there is a difference.


Interstate Batteries FAQ you probably already read:
http://www.batteries-faq.com/activek...p?questionid=6


What are the most common causes of premature battery failures?
http://www.batteries-faq.com/activek...p?questionid=8
1. Deep discharges (leaving your lights on)
2. Misapplication
3. Using an undersized battery
4. Loss of electrolyte due to under-hood heat or overcharging
5. Undercharging or loose alternator belt
6. Excessive vibration (due to loose hold down clamp)
7. Corrosion
8. Freezing




On Aug 18, 3:24*pm, cicada <ryinm...@gmail.com> wrote:

"M.Balarama" <mbalar@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:zunqk.4545$zv7.2740@flpi143.ffdc.sbc.com...
Many companies now make South and North versions of the same battery. The
South versions are more robust to withstand the heat, but because of the
extra reinforcements inside, they have slightly less room for the lead
plates and therefore have lower CCA than the North versions.

You many have a North or South battery without even knowing it, because
often times they ship only one version to the stores based on the location.

On Aug 18, 8:33*pm, johngd...@hotmail.com wrote:
Walmart ones has a good price. But I heard they don't work well in
cold weather. I'm New York City. The temperature goes down to 20
degrees Fahrenheit.

I'm in New York City. This summer it's between 80 and 90. A few days
it went over 90s. So it's not that hot.

I only saw this brownish stuff on the nagative terminal after my last
visit to an auto shop. I thought the mechanic from the store put that
stuff to prevent corrosion.

I wouldn't know. How to check them?

I don't think so. I looked. No heat shield around the battery.

On Aug 18, 6:45*pm, "Mark A" <xxx...@xxxxx.com> wrote:
okay for me pour water on top of the battery? I'm thinking the water
would connect the postive terminal to the negtive terminal and short
something.

Sillier question. What is a metal plate? Is it the stick that goes
from the terminal into the liquid? What you're saying is I have to
make sure the stick is in the liquid and touched by the liquid all the
time. Right?

"cicada" <ryinmail@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e59f8b80-ed1f-498c-942f-f2daa1d782fb@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
No, not unless you use salt water. The corrosion on top of the battery has
already shorted it out (somewhat), which is probably why it is dead. Use
plenty of water to remove the baking soda solution and any remaining dirt
and debris. Wipe the battery reasonably dry at the terminals before you
start the car and there will be no problem.

Regarding whether you should do this cleaning of the battery when the car is
off--you can't be serious.

A battery consists of a bunch of lead plates that are covered up by acid
which is diluted with water. That is why a car battery is called a lead-acid
battery (duh):
http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...61.html?page=2

If you have any more silly questions about how things work, how about giving
Google a try.

If you decide to clean the terminals as Mark suggested, wear protection for
your eyes. The toothbrush could easily splash up to your face.

"cicada" <ryinmail@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e59f8b80-ed1f-498c-942f-f2daa1d782fb@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
On Aug 18, 6:45 pm, "Mark A" <xxx...@xxxxx.com> wrote:
okay for me pour water on top of the battery? I'm thinking the water
would connect the postive terminal to the negtive terminal and short
something.

Sillier question. What is a metal plate? Is it the stick that goes
from the terminal into the liquid? What you're saying is I have to
make sure the stick is in the liquid and touched by the liquid all the
time. Right?