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

My 2004 Mazda3 hatchback with about 20,000 miles on it won't start. [more inside]
posted by misskaz on Nov 1, 2009 - 14 answers

Please educate me on car battery technology. [more inside]
posted by Solomon on Oct 2, 2009 - 14 answers

I just changed my car's old dead battery with a new, just purchased one following the directions here. Even though I clamped the connectors down hard enough that I can't move either of them, the car seems to be completely dead --- it doesn't appear to be getting any power whatsoever. Any ideas what could be wrong? [more inside]
posted by jacobm on Aug 19, 2009 - 23 answers

How can I recharge my nearly-completely-drained car battery so that it will work long enough to drive it to get crushed? I'm hoping to avoid buying a brand new battery just to have it crushed. [more inside]
posted by brenton on Jun 8, 2009 - 30 answers

Engine is turning over slowly and I think it might be the battery. Affordable way to check this myself or just take it into the garage? [more inside]
posted by scarello on May 29, 2009 - 31 answers

Car with a dead battery (sorta). I want to sell it immediately. Will I be better off selling it to a used car dealer or on Craigslist? If the former, can anyone recommend a dealer in Seattle? [more inside]
posted by carpyful on May 28, 2009 - 14 answers

I have sulfuric acid, de-ionized water, and basic lab equipment. Can I revive my crappy car battery? [more inside]
posted by scose on Feb 23, 2009 - 18 answers

My relatively new car battery (~1 yo) seems to be giving me some troubles. Is this a sign of a weak battery or something more serious? [more inside]
posted by pilibeen on Nov 19, 2008 - 10 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

I live in a busy downtown area with street cleaning every other night. As such, I am required to move the car each night, and sometimes end up parking it on a street that is notorious for car theft/etc. Lately, somebody has been somehow popping my hood, wrenching off the battery cover, and stealing my car battery. [more inside]
posted by prior on Sep 25, 2008 - 8 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

Can I diagnose my electrical problems with a small multi-meter? [more inside]
posted by mzurer on Dec 30, 2007 - 7 answers

I don't really use my car much in the winter but I park it outdoors. How do I maximize its chances of survival? [more inside]
posted by shothotbot on Dec 30, 2007 - 7 answers

I have a 1995 Ford Thunderbird in NYC/upper Manhattan. I suspect my battery is dead. Where can I get it replaced? [more inside]
posted by ofthestrait on Oct 24, 2007 - 5 answers

What is going on with my 1998 Mercury Sable? [more inside]
posted by ForeverDcember on Oct 5, 2007 - 8 answers

After jump-starting a dead car battery, how far can I expect to be able to drive it? [more inside]
posted by foxinthesnow on Aug 29, 2007 - 24 answers

A friend and I were charging the battery of a 2001 Honda Odyssey. He attached the cables to the wrong terminals of the dead battery. How much damage might we have done? [more inside]
posted by torticat on Jun 10, 2007 - 8 answers

My car won't start. [more inside]
posted by sophist on May 24, 2007 - 16 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

Car battery solar trickle charger -- fact or fiction? [more inside]
posted by Mid on Feb 8, 2007 - 16 answers

Help with my car battery. [more inside]
posted by DieHipsterDie on Aug 11, 2006 - 5 answers

Do car remote entry clickers have batteries, or are they passively activated by a field generated by the car? [more inside]
posted by qslack on Dec 10, 2005 - 11 answers

I have a 2002 Elantra which will not start. I've jumped the battery, it ran for 3 days, and now its refusing to start again, in the same manner as before. I'm trying to remove the battery to have it tested, help! [more inside]
posted by mhuckaba on Oct 2, 2005 - 11 answers

This question spurred another: When jumping a dead battery, do you attach the cables to the positive node of the dead battery or the live battery first? [more inside]
posted by rhapsodie on May 5, 2005 - 8 answers

How can I keep my car battery from dying in the rain? [more inside]
posted by rooftop secrets on Feb 22, 2005 - 16 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