Car barely starts if it's been sitting for 3+ days

[JEDI]

i usually use my car everyday.

the only time it sits for 3days or more is when i visit my parents in nyc during long weekends. (subway close by)

and everytime it sits 3days, it's hard to start. the engine barely turns over, and for the first 15sec or so, it seems like it's going to die.

my mazda3i has 65k miles, and the temp outside was 45F.
but this has been happening for at least 2yrs.

i change my oil + air filter regularly. spark plugs are 100k ones.


Is this normal? if not, what could be the problem?

THX

 

[Vette73]

2 things come to mind.

1. Battery. Go to advance/AZ and have them test it.

2. Power drain. Could be a small short or a small light left on and slowly drains battery. Will not drain enouhg in 1 day but if sitting will drain to a noticiable level. Had a customer complain like you and after testing the battery, Alt, and then cheaking for drains. Found out there was a small light in the trunk/hatch that was on. Turned it off and never had the problem after that.

 

[MadAmos]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
2 things come to mind.

1. Battery. Go to advance/AZ and have them test it.

2. Power drain. Could be a small short or a small light left on and slowly drains battery. Will not drain enouhg in 1 day but if sitting will drain to a noticiable level. Had a customer complain like you and after testing the battery, Alt, and then cheaking for drains. Found out there was a small light in the trunk/hatch that was on. Turned it off and never had the problem after that.

+1 excellent advice

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
2 things come to mind.

1. Battery. Go to advance/AZ and have them test it.

2. Power drain. Could be a small short or a small light left on and slowly drains battery. Will not drain enouhg in 1 day but if sitting will drain to a noticiable level. Had a customer complain like you and after testing the battery, Alt, and then cheaking for drains. Found out there was a small light in the trunk/hatch that was on. Turned it off and never had the problem after that.

How do you check for drains?
ie: how did you know the light in the trunk stayed on when the trunk was closed?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
2 things come to mind.

1. Battery. Go to advance/AZ and have them test it.

2. Power drain. Could be a small short or a small light left on and slowly drains battery. Will not drain enouhg in 1 day but if sitting will drain to a noticiable level. Had a customer complain like you and after testing the battery, Alt, and then cheaking for drains. Found out there was a small light in the trunk/hatch that was on. Turned it off and never had the problem after that.

How do you check for drains?
ie: how did you know the light in the trunk stayed on when the trunk was closed?

The trunk example was one of the lights that had a switch. It was in the on position.

For drains what I di is disconnect the battery and let it sit for the normal time. The reconnect when it is time to test/drive and if it still has the same problem it is more then likly a battery issue. If it starts fine then it might be a drain. After that finding the drain can sometimes be easy, truck light example, or really hard like a small short.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
2 things come to mind.

1. Battery. Go to advance/AZ and have them test it.

2. Power drain. Could be a small short or a small light left on and slowly drains battery. Will not drain enouhg in 1 day but if sitting will drain to a noticiable level. Had a customer complain like you and after testing the battery, Alt, and then cheaking for drains. Found out there was a small light in the trunk/hatch that was on. Turned it off and never had the problem after that.

How do you check for drains?
ie: how did you know the light in the trunk stayed on when the trunk was closed?

In my SO's car, I sat in it and lowered the back seat to see a lit trunk... 🙂

 

[JulesMaximus]

Is it stock? Does it have an aftermarket stereo or high intensity lights or any other non-standard power draining accessories??

Sounds like the battery is low to me and it probably needs to be replaced.

 

[sniperruff]

with 65000 miles, i'd say it's about time for a new battery. what year is it?

 

[dud]

Don't focus totally on the battery. The alternator and battery work hand-in-hand to power your vehicle. If the battery is low it could be that it is bad OR it could be that the output voltage of the alternator is too low to adequately charge the battery (bad diodes).

Take the car to Advanced Auto, Autozone, etc and have them test the entire charging system or you can just start replacing things piece-by-piece ... expensive guesswork.

 

[Gibson486]

so....if this has been happening fo rthe past 2 years, why didn't you bring it to the dealer? You are SOL now b/c your warranty is done.


that said, I left my 3 alone for 2 weeks when I went to china....when I came back, it started fine, but the motor was shaking like hell. It went away when i brought it to the dealer though.

Something maybe draining your battery...but at the same time, your battery could have been faulty, which can actually make the alternator work harder and fail. Hopefully it is just something draining the battery.