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Haven't Driven My Car Since Last March

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Old 01-21-2008, 03:15 PM
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Haven't Driven My Car Since Last March

I got into an accident last March and I have not driven my car since then. It went in for repairs in March 23rd and I did not get it back until July (I know WTF the damage wasn't bad but the side airbags came off and that was his excuse for taking long)

So anyways I started it every week and let it run until warm and then I turned it off. Well I forgot last week and I went to start it 2 days ago so I could insure it and it wouldn't start. I was like oh okay no problem I will just jump start it. I jump start it and it runs fine so I was like ok sweet come Monday I will get it insured. I let it run for about 14 minutes (I did not drive it around) I go to start it today and the battery is dead again. I did not jump start it this time instead I tried searching but people post ***** to much ( IE ME) so I would have to go through pages and pages of threads to find something relavent.

Okay so I have owned the car since December of 2003 and it has 58000 KMs which is 36039 Miles. Should I replace the battery or has the alternator not had a chance to charge it because I never drove it around and all I did was warm it up. Do I have to change anything IE Coils, Spark Plug Wires, Spark plugs? My car is no longer covered under warranty which sucks *** but anything you guys can help me with will totally help.

Tell me what to do and be serious with your posts I have been a long time member I think I deserve a itty little bit of help without someone screaming repost or photoshop :P
Old 01-21-2008, 03:57 PM
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Sorry to hear about the accident.

I'm curious, you say you let it run for 14 mins, did you rev it at all?
Old 01-21-2008, 04:07 PM
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new battery

(2 cents)
Old 01-21-2008, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by r-enzyme
Sorry to hear about the accident.

I'm curious, you say you let it run for 14 mins, did you rev it at all?
I revved it at the starting and after that I did not
Old 01-21-2008, 04:54 PM
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have a mechanic bring a battery out to you and diagnose it at your house, leave the new one in overnight and see if it starts in the morning. Don't throw parts at it if it's that obvious a problem, if it kills that battery then the problem is a parasitic draw stuck open somewhere. A trickle charger would have helped you over that time, but it's too late now.

If it's been sitting that long you should also change the oil and get some premium in the gas tank, both tend to decompose slowly over time.
Old 01-21-2008, 07:45 PM
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New battery....at that age the likelyhood of it being better than 80% before it went dead was poor...plus the dead for 4-5mos thing...the battery is dead!
Old 01-21-2008, 08:07 PM
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Okay so I got the car started, I thought I would give it one last chance then some weird stuff happened. Within the first 5 minutes my car steering wheel would not move. At this time the DSC light was flashing and the Skid Mark symbol was on. Every time I moved my steering wheel the car lights dimmed and the stereo would reset. I let the car run for about 20 minutes and then I got back into it and the steering was working fine. I drove it around my block and I kept hearing a thumping noise I thought it was my tires that were low (it was that kind of noise) I checked them all with the gauge and it wasn't the tires.

So then I go to reverse my car into my car port and I turn the steering wheel and it did the exact same thing where the lights go dim and the stereo restarts. I noticed two more lights come on (the air bag one and the steering wheel with an exclamation mark). So at that point I started swearing So I waited a minute and those lights all went off and the steering came back. I turned the car off and here I am.

What do you guys think I should do? Is there something (IE ECM) I have to reset or something? I need some input here before I go to a Mechanic that will rape me $$

And what do you think that weird *** thumping noise is?



Thanks guys
Old 01-21-2008, 08:41 PM
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Put in a new battery first...see what happens...your voltage must be really low and the alternator can't keep up...check the battery connectors for corrosion as well
Old 01-21-2008, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by dannobre
Put in a new battery first...see what happens...your voltage must be really low and the alternator can't keep up...check the battery connectors for corrosion as well
Okay is it pretty easy to install a battery? Maybe if your in the area (I live right near knight street) Bridge the day of our Go Karting event you could come check it out?
Old 01-22-2008, 02:11 PM
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Anything that comes to your mind that may also be wrong?
Old 01-22-2008, 06:26 PM
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I don't mind coming by...the battery is two nuts (10mm) ...lift out battery and replace

Try that first...and if a no go we can have a look
Old 01-22-2008, 06:43 PM
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If he has been starting his car every week since last July and letting it warm up, won't the battery die IF he doesn't drive the car around? If I'm understanding correctly, he's not driving the car around to recharge the battery. His car is just sitting there until it warms up. Won't doing that over and over eventually drain his battery?
Old 01-22-2008, 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by dannobre
I don't mind coming by...the battery is two nuts (10mm) ...lift out battery and replace

Try that first...and if a no go we can have a look
Read your Private Message brother
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