Help us diagnose our Ford F150: what could be draining down the (new) battery overnight? We're suddenly seeing apparent battery drainage in our pickup truck, a 1994 Ford F150. Though the truck starts up fine, the dashboard battery gauge reads low immediately upon ignition, the windshield wipers are sluggish, and the dashboard lights are dim. We thought the old battery was likely dying, so we had it replaced with a new battery... but that hasn't solved the problem. [more inside]
posted by Elsa on Dec 19, 2009 - 28 answers

The "battery not charging" light on my dash went on; the mechanic told me I need a new alternator. Now the "battery not charging" light has turned itself off again. Does this mean my battery is, in fact, charging? [more inside]
posted by fermion on Sep 26, 2008 - 6 answers

Dead battery--is there a problem with my car? [more inside]
posted by phoenixy on Sep 13, 2008 - 12 answers

Why won't my car start? [more inside]
posted by torpark on Aug 20, 2008 - 25 answers

Help with my friend's car trouble... [more inside]
posted by drpynchon on Mar 30, 2008 - 12 answers

My Car wont start, It just clicks when i try and eventually stops doing anything! [more inside]
posted by slowtree on Jan 19, 2008 - 22 answers

My car dies periodically and the shop tinkers with it (starter, alternator, battery, etc.) but my mechanic has opined that part of the problem may be that I don't drive it enough. Does anyone have any experience with trickle chargers? [more inside]
posted by Morrigan on May 7, 2007 - 31 answers

I'm having problems with an 87' Nissan truck (5-speed). Recently when its been sitting for a day or so, me engine doesn't want to turn over at all when I turn the key and all I get is this "click" sound that is identical to how my old car sounded when my alternator went out. The thing is, if I turn the key a few times, it'll start and its fine for the rest of the day when I try to start the car. This "clicking" thing has happened a few times now, and I don't think its the battery (lights and everything work perfectly, and no problems with engine turning over when no click sound). Any ideas what might be wrong (gut instant says alternator is going, but just seeing if any other ideas).
posted by jmd82 on Feb 2, 2004 - 21 answers

How long can you drive a car with a broken alternator with a freshly charged battery? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by rdr on Jan 3, 2004 - 11 answers