z28dreams Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Quick question: Car wouldn't start - completely dead. Stuck a multimeter on the battery and it's showing 3v. At this low of a voltage, is it just a run-down battery from a light left on, or is it more a complete battery failure? Clues: - Car was left outside in the cold for 2 weeks while on vacation. - Came back, started car fine, ran to grocery store and back. - Locked car, but when I armed the alarm w/ my keyfob, it beeped twice (normally just clicks shut with no noise) - Very next morning (today) car is dead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 How old is the battery ? it should read over 12v. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTTuner Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 12.55 volts is considered fully charged battery. You cannot test a discharged battery, so charging would be necessary to even test it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
contractkiller Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Typically, batteries don't last much longer than 4-5 years. How old is it? what did u mean when you said. it felt like i was driving a civic? did u mean the car felt like it was more dependable and it was getting better mpg's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z28dreams Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Battery is about 2 years old. Just got it started with a portable charger. Going to let it sit overnight again and see if it holds the charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Sometimes batteries don't last 4-5 years too. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 some last 10 Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidWombat Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 At 3V, the battery is sufficiently discharged that its probably completely dead. That doesn't mean the battery was the root cause, but its now been drained below where its easily recharged. How long a trip to the grocery store? Its possible that it was low from sitting, then the two starts only drained it further. Once it got really low, electronics do funny things and it may have accelerated the drain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
contractkiller Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Sometimes batteries don't last 4-5 years too. Also true. Sometimes ya just get a bad apple... what did u mean when you said. it felt like i was driving a civic? did u mean the car felt like it was more dependable and it was getting better mpg's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z28dreams Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 After about 2 hours was able to get the battery up to 12.1v on the charger and was just barely able to get it started. Left the car running for about 10min @ 1500rpm in an attempt to charge it and then turned it off. Will give a start tomorrow morning and see if the battery held a charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 locked car, but when I armed the alarm w/ my keyfob, it beeped twice (normally just clicks shut with no noise) - Very next morning (today) car is dead When I lock my car, it beeps at me several times if I attempt to lock it with a door not properly closed. It will NOT beep at me if all doors are properly shut. The former may have happened to you from what you are describing and a light stayed on or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtbimmer Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Use your multimeter to check the alt. while it's running to make sure you are getting a sufficient charge. If it's charging dont mess around, just replace the battery. I would suggest either a battery disconnect switch or a trickle charger after you replace the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 ^ yes when running the battery should read 14- 14.5volts - 15 volts just after start up Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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