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Help diagnose my car

K

krunchykrome

Lifer
2004 Acura TSX
117k miles
No problems with car thus far

This morning, I tried to start the car; I could hear the ignition try to start, but it just wouldn't. It can't be the battery because we just had it changed 2 years ago. I managed to jump start the car using my wife's car and we got it to start. Im taking it to the dealership today or tomorrow.

Any ideas? Alternator?
 
krunchykrome said:
2004 Acura TSX
117k miles
No problems with car thus far

This morning, I tried to start the car; I could hear the ignition try to start, but it just wouldn't. It can't be the battery because we just had it changed 2 years ago. I managed to jump start the car using my wife's car and we got it to start. Im taking it to the dealership today or tomorrow.

Any ideas? Alternator?
Click to expand...

Because "we just had it changed 2 years ago" :hmm:

My vote is for battery.
 
Does the car have an amp meter gauge on the dash? If the alternator is working properly when the car is running the guage should show roughly +12amps, if it is reading well below 12 or negative it could indicate a failed alternator. But as was said above an Auto Zone or other major chain auto parts store will usually test your battery and alt for free.
 
krunchykrome said:
2004 Acura TSX
117k miles
No problems with car thus far

This morning, I tried to start the car; I could hear the ignition try to start, but it just wouldn't. It can't be the battery because we just had it changed 2 years ago. I managed to jump start the car using my wife's car and we got it to start. Im taking it to the dealership today or tomorrow.

Any ideas? Alternator?
Click to expand...


You apparently did think it the battery since you did that. If it was the alternator it would have died while you were going.
 
krunchykrome said:
Nope, didnt leave anything on.

Can a new battery really go bad after 2 years? I mean, the one that initially came with the car when it was bought new lasted for about 5 years.
Click to expand...


I've seen batteries last less than a year and some 10+ years.

Just have it and the alt tested for free and go from there.
 
Since it started after a jump start, it probably is the battery. Also check all the battery cable connections, at both ends of the cable. Could easily be a dirty connection or a bad ground cable.
 
bruceb said:
Since it started after a jump start, it probably is the battery. Also check all the battery cable connections, at both ends of the cable. Could easily be a dirty connection or a bad ground cable.
Click to expand...

The weird thing is, when I was trying to start the car, I could hear the engine starting...but it just wouldnt "catch".
 
Normally when u can easily jump start a car. It needs a battery, or maybe your battery cables are a little loose and the jumpers cables made it tighter

Sent from my Nexus One
 
I had a overpriced OEM battery from stealership died in less than a year. It was replaced under warranty (They did found the issue was bad battery itself. No problem after it was replaced), but it wasn't fun. So, the battery can be dead in 2 years or less.

No, it's not weird that you could hear the tickling but car not starting. It's the battery is dying, not just died yet, but soon it will.
 
Last edited:
krunchykrome said:
I bought the best battery sold by Autozone
Click to expand...

Might be under a warranty of sorts then.

Wouldn't hurt to check everything is closed. I one time didn't close the trunk on my car quite enough and the lights stayed on, walked out to a completely dead car. Once I figured it out, it started to come back to life but since the battery was like 5+ old I replaced it anyway.
 
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