96 SL2 won't start

[Simon Song]

My SL2 has 75k mileage on it, and we replaced the generator/battery like 2.5 years ago.

Today, it won't start at all, after it is idle in the parking lot for 2 weeks.

I tried to jumpstart it from a Camry, but it didn't work at all. The lights weren't be on, and car failed to get started.

So this is a dead battery issue or even worse? Any advice? I definitely will have it towed to a mechanic place by AAA later. Just want to have some ideas of the issue...

Thanks!

 

[Jonnie Santos]

My 97 did that one afternoon at work - even AAA had a hard time jumping it and when I got home it would not restart. I put a new battery in and it's fine (knock on wood)...

I'm on my 3rd batt and 3rd alt with 88k miles.

 

[richard hornsby]

My 97 did that one afternoon at work - even AAA had a hard time jumping it and when I got home it would not restart. I put a new battery in and it's fine (knock on wood)...

I'm on my 3rd batt and 3rd alt with 88k miles.

ouch ... is there some kind of voltage regulator as a seperate component from the alternator which could be damaging the alternator and in turn the battery by providing too much or too little juice? I know that big electrical turbines can be damaged by too much/too little electricity, and it seems like the same principle would apply on a smaller scale. (I would answer my own question if I could figure out where my dog put my Haynes manual...)

-rj
98SL2

 

[Jonnie Santos]

I don't know about the volt reg - and I do seem to be hard on vehicles too. I usually run the AC, I live in a warm/hot climate and I think the alt's placement on my Saturn is a poor choice. I noticed SPS was selling a higher output alternator which sounds like it would run with a smaller load and maybe run cooler.

I have had better luck with electrical components with my old Isuzu pickup.

 

[Simon Song]

Well, I am clumsy and just failed to jumpstart the car(it is the first time, I tried to jumpstart it by myself). My neighbour lent a hand to jumpstart it in the right way(I put the negative on the wrong part).

So the car is running, and I am leaving it run idle for 30 mins.

And I think I will go Autozone, and have them check the battery. Maybe, it is time to replace the battery? The current one is bein used for nearly 3 years now, and I live in Northern CA the weather is hot.

Any other tips for battery/alternator maintenance? Heard someone mentioned about fluid level in battery is also key...

 

[M. Butkus]

Batteries should last 4 -5 years. Non use and a small drain (alarm or flashing light) can drain it after a week.

Depening on the amount of time you want to keep it.... a Sears or Walmart battery will do you for $50.

 

[Speez]

Even though a battery should last 3 or 4 years, you could still develop a "dead cell". It's like a defect in the battery. This would cause some problems.

Steve

 

[Simon Song]

Went to AutoZone and the battery was found bad, so replaced it with their 2nd best battery with 2 yrs free replacement and 7 yrs warranty.

Also tested generator, it was good.

Autozone service is good, very nice person there (helped me replace the battery).