2003 ION battery question.

[nightrider.36]

I have a 2003 ION that I'm selling. The only thing is that it's been
sitting in backyard for about four months. I tried to jump start it
and although I get 12+ volts into the battery and all the lights and
alarms energize, the car will not start. It doesn't turn over, it just
clicks. I can't imagine the problem being anything but the battery
since it has not been driven.

So, I guess I don't know a lot about car batteries. Does jump starting
a car mean that you're also charging its battery? Can a car battery
be re-charged? Should I have kept the car with the good battery that
I was jumping from on longer? Should I just get a new battery?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

-ac

 

[Bob Shuman]

When you "jump start" a car, you provide an "assist" to a weak battery. The
running vehicle's alternator also charges the weak battery in the process.

I'd suggest you find an automatic battery charger and leave it on the old
battery overnight, then try to start it in the morning and use the jump
start if needed again. At this point, you likely have a completely drained
battery. Getting it to that state is not at all good for the battery and
may have rendered it unusable since when it is at a low charge the battery
builds lead sulfates that short it out internally. Worst case, and more
than likely, you will need to replace the battery.

Bob

 

[M. Halliwell]

I have a 2003 ION that I'm selling. The only thing is that it's been
sitting in backyard for about four months. I tried to jump start it
and although I get 12+ volts into the battery and all the lights and
alarms energize, the car will not start. It doesn't turn over, it just
clicks. I can't imagine the problem being anything but the battery
since it has not been driven.

So, I guess I don't know a lot about car batteries. Does jump starting
a car mean that you're also charging its battery? Can a car battery
be re-charged? Should I have kept the car with the good battery that
I was jumping from on longer? Should I just get a new battery?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

-ac

If jumping it isn't helping, it could be a passlock issue. I had my
module go in my '03 Ion and I was sure it must have been a loose
connection or the starter because everything else seemed to work fine.

New module and a new key (mine was seriously worn when I looked at it
compared to my spare) and everything was right as rain again.

Michael H.

 

[Private]

When you "jump start" a car, you provide an "assist" to a weak battery.
The running vehicle's alternator also charges the weak battery in the
process.

I'd suggest you find an automatic battery charger and leave it on the old
battery overnight, then try to start it in the morning and use the jump
start if needed again. At this point, you likely have a completely
drained battery. Getting it to that state is not at all good for the
battery and may have rendered it unusable since when it is at a low charge
the battery builds lead sulfates that short it out internally. Worst
case, and more than likely, you will need to replace the battery.

Bob

IMHE, car batteries last about 5 years. The economics of replacement now
are open to discusion but, if you want to get the best price for your used
car, you do not want to need to jump start it to demo to a purchaser.

Good luck, YMMV