Guide Car To The Side Of Road
The first thing you should keep in mind is to take the car on the side of the road. Even when there is a loss of power on brakes and steering, you can still pull over. However, do not panic, even though it can be difficult. By using the emergency brake, you can move the car to a safe area. Make sure that there is enough room and you dont block the way of other drivers.
The Bmw Dealer Advised Me To Get A Trickle Charger Which I Did But Even After Using It The Car Only Behaves Normally For A Few Days And Then It’s Back To The Same Notice At Start
A: All cars today have lots of demands on the electrical system luxury vehicles even more so. Your BMW uses an absorbed glass mat battery as opposed to a more conventional flooded lead acid battery.
BMW was the subject of a class action lawsuit that had to do with battery failure. As part of this lawsuit, BMW upgraded the battery to a 105-ampere hour battery from the standard 90-ampere hour battery.
At this point, test and fully recharge the battery and check the current battery in the vehicle for the proper installation. The trickle charger is also a good idea for cars that dont get driven often, but make sure the charger is a float style charger compatible with AGM batteries.
Q: I took my car in for wheel bearing and brake rotors because of a noise. Now, six months later, the noise is back. Could it be inferior parts or poor installation? What should I do?
A: The best thing to do would be to return to the shop that performed the repairs and have them road test the car. Ideally, it would be best if you can go on the road test and demonstrate the noise and explain that this is why you originally took the car in for service.
Regarding replacement parts, quality aftermarket parts can be as good as and in cases can even exceed the quality of some factory parts.
Q: I am a retired person with knee trouble and occasional hip trouble. I currently own a 2002 Toyota Echo. Very soon, it will need to be replaced.
Does Draining A Car Battery Damage It
Short term, the answer is no continually, yes! If your car battery is drained below the recommended discharge level, the best you can do is check the electrolyte and trickle charge the battery up to 40-50% before passing it on to the alternator.
Its hard for an alternator to charge a fully drained battery because they werent designed to charge batteries from a state of full discharge.
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Ways To Revive A Dead Car Battery
Unfortunately, it is impossible to reverse hard sulfation, but it does one good to note, regarding products and services claiming to reverse sulfation, there is no real proof to back up their claims. Still, if you have a dead car battery, there are several things that you can try to get yourself back on the road, even if its straight to a repair shop or auto parts store for a new battery. Vehicles started using these methods should not be shut off until a new car battery can be obtained, and a couple of these methods will finish off the battery, anyway.
Is My Car Battery Dead
If you are having problems with your car, you might be wondering, “Is my battery dead?” Your car’s battery is a very important part of your car and with out a properly working battery, you won’t be able to use your car. However, you can usually figure out if your car troubles are due to a dead battery if you have noticed some of the warning signs. If you haven’t noticed any of the warning signs, don’t immediately rule out a dead battery! Getting your voltage checked or having one of Wrench’s mobile mechanics come diagnose your car problems is your best bet.
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How To Change A Car Battery
An old battery is the second-easiest possibility of why your car wont start after its been sitting for a year. Heres how to replace it.
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What Happens If My Key Fob Battery Dies While Driving
If your key fob battery dies while driving, there are a few things that could happen. First, if you have an automatic transmission, the car may not shift into gear. Second, your power windows and locks may not work.
Third, the panic button on your key fob may not work. Finally, your cars security system may not work properly.
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You Are Having Issues With The Ignition Switch
Problems of different kinds might arise from a faulty ignition switch. You wont be able to restart your car or use the radio or other electronics. In this case, the problem is a worn-out ignition switch that prevents electricity from reaching the engine. If the automobile loses power, it might perish in the middle of the road.
What Are Some Tips For Troubleshooting A New Car Battery That Suddenly Dies
If your new car battery suddenly dies, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. First, check the battery terminals to make sure they are clean and free of corrosion. If they are dirty, clean them with a wire brush and make sure they are tight. Next, check the battery cables to make sure they are not loose or damaged. If they are, replace them. Finally, check the voltage of the battery with a voltmeter to see if it is low. If it is, charge it with a battery charger.
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Out Of Gas Or Bad Battery
Went to dig out my 2006 Scion xA this morning 8 inches of snow and 18 degrees. It started and I let it warm up while scraping the windshield. Got in to drive and the radio would not turn on and the gas gauge read completely empty. I had 298 miles since the last fill up, so I should have been low but not completely on empty. I put it into reverse and it died. It wouldnt turn over after that. This probably seems like a lame question, but is this more likely a dead battery ?
This is not related to fuel level at all.You have an electrical problem. It is likely that your battery is dead, but it is also likely that something wrong with your electrical system has caused the battery to die. You may have loose wiring connections, a bad alternator, or something else.
Just to be clear when you say wouldnt turn over you mean that you turn the key and nothing happens? Or maybe just a click? That has nothing to do with fuel as tardis said.
But many people on these boards will report not turning over when they mean not firing up/starting.
So if you turn the key and the engine actually tries to start but wont start, then dump some gas in an drive on to a gas station.
If your first question now is something like how do I pop the hood and/or where is the battery and/or what is a voltmeter then you may need a tow or someone with some basic skills in these areas.
What To Do When Your Car Runs Out Of Gas
Weve all been there before. Youre driving along and suddenly your car starts to sputter and then it dies. Youre out of gas. Now what? Dont worry, weve got you covered. Heres what to do when your car runs out of gas: 1. Pull over to the side of the road as soon as possible and turn on your hazard lights. This will warn other drivers that you are stopped on the side of the road.
2. Once youre safely off the road, assess the situation. Do you have a spare can of gas? If so, great! If not, youll need to call for help or walk to the nearest gas station to get some gas. 3. If you have a spare can of gas, start by opening up your hood and locate your cars engine oil dipstick. Wipe it clean with a rag and re-insert it into the engine. Then, remove the cap from your gas can and pour about a quart of gasoline into your cars engine . 4. Now try starting your car again. It may take a few tries, but if youve poured enough gasoline into the engine, it should start right up! Once its running, drive slowly to the nearest gas station and fill up completely so you dont find yourself in this situation again anytime soon!
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What To Do When You Car Battery Is Dead
If your car battery is dead, the best way is to charge it again with a car battery charger. If you do not have one available and are in a hurry, you can jump-start it with another car. You can also use a jump starter if you have one available.
There are some different ways you can handle the situation with your dead car battery, depending on how in a hurry you are and what tools you have access to. Heres a more detailed list of what to do if your car battery is dead:
A Sudden Slower Start
When temps drop below 20 degrees, generally any cars starting cadence will slow down. Get below 0 and it gets even slower. If you notice this behavior suddenly and the temperature hasnt dropped a slow, dragging start suddenly begins, get your battery tested as soon as possible, and dont ignore it. Eventually, the car will not start.
If a slow starting battery seems to be able to take a charge and test fine, its likely that a parasitic drain or draw is discharging the battery while the vehicle sits, and the electrical system will need to be looked at.
Signs of a Bad Starter or Alternator vs. a Car Battery
A bad alternator will exhibit many of the same signs of a dead car battery: dim headlights, electrical issues, difficulty starting, and a frequently drained battery. An alternator, however, will often have its own alternator light on the dashboard. Also, your car may experience unusual rattles and sounds. If youve replaced your battery or are thinking about it, it may be a good idea to check your alternator at the same time.
A bad starter, however, has a whole other set of symptoms. When you try to turn the key, for example, youll often hear a single click rather than a few rapid clicks. You wont be able to crank the motor. You might hear a grinding noise or even see smoke when attempting to start it.
Of course, sometimes a battery is replaced and these other problems continue youll want to ask your mechanic and continued issues.
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What Causes A Dead Car Battery
A dead car battery can come about because of a lot of different reasons, such as:
- An electrical component stayed on when the engine was off
- The car hasnt been used or driven for a long time
- The vehicles alternator isnt charging the battery
- Corroded terminals reduce the charge the battery can receive
- Low temperatures during cold weather might have frozen the battery
- Very high temperatures in hot weather might have weakened the battery
How To Change Your Starter Motor
Weve all heard the dreaded click, click, click, click that occurs when you turn the key and nothing happens. Something is wrong with the cars electrical system, and after replacing the battery, or attempting to jump-start the car, youve determined its likely your starter motor.
Its important to note that manufacturers often have different starter motor locations. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions here, so youll have to do a little investigative homework to determine the location and what you need to do to replace it. Heres a brief and general explanation of how to replace your starter motor.
Jonathon Klein
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Does Running Out Of Gas Affect The Battery
Your battery could have died for a variety of reasons. This is the most common cause of a car to die and thus the best reason to maintain jumper wires in your vehicle.
If you jumpstart your automobile, the alternator should replenish the battery as long as the engine is running.
If this problem frequently occurs, wiping out any corrosion that has accumulated around the battery terminals may be able to help.
If this does not cure the problem, the battery must be replaced.
Engine Cranks But Doesnt Start
If your engine cranks or turns over when you turn the key, but it won’t start, I say the most likely culprit is your battery. It might be your starter, it might be something else, but 94% of the time, it’s really your battery, even if the car is cranking fairly vigorously. Even if an ammeter says the battery is good, it can still be a few volts shy of what your vehicle needs to run efficiently.
When you find yourself with a car that won’t crank hard enough to start, you’ll want to use jumper cables or a jump-starter box to get it running again.
Once your car is running again, disconnect the cable, then let your engine run for 30 minutes so that your alternator can charge up your battery again.
After that half-hour, when you are stopped at home or in a safe place, do a little test. After you turn the engine off, wait at least a minute, then start it again. Wait another minute and start it another time or two to make sure that you won’t be stranded at the gas station or wherever you go next.
Note: At this point, most batteries will have charged themselves up from the running of the alternator and be fine for a day or two. Do not take that time for granted. Use it to hunt down a new battery and replace the old one before you end up stuck in the middle of nowhere.
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Keep The Engine Running
Once the dead vehicle is up and running, drive it for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery.
However, if your jump-start fails, the next best step is to for help, as youll probably need a new battery.
Now that you know how to jump-start your vehicle, lets go over some FAQs.
What Are Some Signs That My Cars Battery Is Dying
A cars battery is essential to its function without it, the car wont start. So, its important to be aware of the signs that your battery is dying, so you can replace it before it leaves you stranded.
Some signs that your cars battery is dying include:
-The car is taking longer to start than usual-The headlights are dimming-The car is making strange clicking noises
If you notice any of these signs, its time to take your car to a mechanic to have the battery checked.
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Connect The Jumper Cables
Identify the positive terminal on the dead battery. Its usually marked with a symbol or the word POS. The negative terminal will have a sign or the word NEG.
Now, do this:
- Attach a red jumper cable clip to the positive terminal of the dead battery
- Attach the other red jumper cable clip to the positive terminal of the donor battery
- Attach a black jumper cable clip to the negative terminal of the donor battery
- Attach the other black jumper cable clip to an unpainted metal surface on the dead vehicle
Battery Dead Or Out Of Gas
Battery dead or out of gas? This is how you get confused when your car is not starting. Is there a way to get it clarified? That is what were gonna discuss in this article.
When your car is out of gas, it will not start, and when the cars battery is dead, it also will fail to start. Right after youve identified the real problem, you can fix it to get the vehicle back to its normal state.
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Electrical Components Shut Off Intermittently
If you notice that your cars electrical components do shut off intermittently, that could be a sign of a dying battery. All electrical components of a vehicle including aftermarket add-ons like mini refrigerators draw power from the battery.
So, if these components or accessories periodically shut off while youre still driving and the engine is on thats because the battery is weak and cannot carry all of them.