Weird battery(?) Problem

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Mar 30, 2013 | 10:12 AM

lex3gs3198

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: Ca

Weird battery(?) Problem

I have recently purchased a battery from wal mart b/c my old one seemed to be failing. My new battery worked for several months, but recently I was not able to start my car. The battery had drained completely (wireless key not working, dash completely dark when key in ignition). I had not driven the car for maybe 1.5 weeks, and it had snowed and rained here recently, though the car has started in the snow before. I got a friend to jump start the car, and i drove it around for about half an hour to charge the battery. After i parked and turned off the car, i started the car again to make sure the battery had charged. The car started fine so I turned the car off again. I was thinking that maybe i had a slight drain and leaving car for long periods of time killed the battery, so I disconnected the negative (black) terminal of the battery. When I came home from work, I connected the battery to the car and it was completely dead again.

Does anyone have any idea whats going on? I have a multimeter as well, so I could try and check for leaks or check the charge. The battery was at about 11.4V when it was "charged" but this potential difference still started my car. Could an uncovered battery get damaged in snow/rain? I dont see how the battery could die when it wasnt even connected to the car (except via the positive terminal).

Thanks

Mar 30, 2013 | 06:46 PM

guardrail9

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Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 52

Likes: 0

From: CO

walmart batteries I have never had luck with. might have a bad cell but most likely it didnt catch enough charge from the alt. you really should pull the battery out and trickle charge it because youll never get it full charged from just driving it. and when you do get it charged check for a draw in your system light a trunk light or glove box light that stays on.