Battery dying

[Hotazlava32]

I had the battery replaced about 6 months ago and up until 10 days ago I noticed when starting up the car that the cranking was slower than usual but eventually started on 3 separate days, and this past weekend I go to start the car and the battery is dead. Radio comes on but car barely turns over. Any ideas what it can be? Possibly faulty battery?

[ryanhmusic]

I had the battery replaced about 6 months ago and up until 10 days ago I noticed when starting up the car that the cranking was slower than usual but eventually started on 3 separate days, and this past weekend I go to start the car and the battery is dead. Radio comes on but car barely turns over. Any ideas what it can be? Possibly faulty battery?

have you tested the alternator?

[Hotazlava32]

Haven't gotten a chance to test anything yet

[ryanhmusic]

Haven't gotten a chance to test anything yet

I would start there. Most likely that's your problem.

[Hotazlava32]

Forgot to mention that the car only has 38k miles, even though the alternator can go at any point.

[badbluers4]

How do you know the new battery is dead? Did you test the voltage on the battery? I'm only asking because it sounds more like a starter issue, and these cars are known to have starter issues. I'm still on OEM battery but replaced my starter last year after a few delayed starts, now it starts like a champ every time.

[Hotazlava32]

I'm assuming its the battery because when I changed from the last one (which was the original), it was having the same exact symptoms.

[badbluers4]

Then yes, I would have a look at your starter. If a new battery is giving you the same issues, then I don't think the battery is the problem. Run a battery test just to confirm.

[musasabi]

Fwiw, I've had cranking issues since I bought mine a year and a half ago. Sometimes it'd crank slowly, sometimes not at all. But, only if I didn't run in for a few hours. Weirdly, if I leave my key in the On position for like 10-15 minutes, the car starts right up like normal. Or, if I don't have the time, I can hook the terminals in front up to a wall charger and in after a minute or two of charging, the car will start. AutoZone said the battery is dead according to their tests in like April 2015, and I've been going through this foolish routine ever since.

I only mention this so that you'll try the "key in On" strategy and maybe have the same results I have, haha. My car's at 85,000 miles, though, so there's that.

[badbluers4]

yea i bet you a beer, its the starter. I've always thought I should change my battery since it is the original and its heavy as SHIT LOL and I only got delayed starts when cold. The battery is very strong, I can run just the radio while washing the car etc and don't have issues. But as soon as I replaced that starter, it starts so good now, no delay ever! I still will replace the battery here very soon just because lol

[musasabi]

How long was that starter job for you? I'm not even sure where it is, tbh. Haha.

[badbluers4]

How long was that starter job for you? I'm not even sure where it is, tbh. Haha.

I honestly don't remember since i had it done under warranty, but it wasn't a bad job maybe 3 hours. My shop is real good tho, they know how to get it done! LOL

[musasabi]

Nice. =) I'll have to look into it. It's super annoying to have my wall charger as a permanent accessory, haha.

[badbluers4]

Nice. =) I'll have to look into it. It's super annoying to have my wall charger as a permanent accessory, haha.

yea thats weird, and actually does sound like a battery issue.

[musasabi]

Even though if I let it "warm up" by leaving the key in On for a few minutes (presumably draining more battery via accessories) the car starts?

[Avus RS4]

How long has the car been sitting between starts?

[Hotazlava32]

Usually a few days, a week the most

[Avus RS4]

Usually a few days, a week the most

You might need to get yourself some trickle charger...

[AvusPdx]

Ive noticed a struggle starting in very cold weather, but that was with most cars I've had. Who has changed their OEM batteries here?

[Avus RS4]

Ive noticed a struggle starting in very cold weather, but that was with most cars I've had. Who has changed their OEM batteries here?

I've replaced mine but since I'm not the original owner, the battery my car had was one made in Spain, and a recycled one to boot!
I put a good quality battery in it.

[badbluers4]

You might need to get yourself some trickle charger...

my car sits a week easy without me driving it and no issue on startup, oem battery, new starter. I'm telling yall new starter is the key lol

[Avus RS4]

my car sits a week easy without me driving it and no issue on startup, oem battery, new starter. I'm telling yall new starter is the key lol

Within the realm of possibilities, the starter could be the issue, sure.
I've just brought that up because being in the same situation a few years ago, my battery died as a result of not having a trickle charger on my Z06.
But, that's easy to diagnose before he goes out and gets a new battery

[voidopolis]

You might have a parasitic draw on your electrical system that is draining the battery between periods of inactivity. There are components of the car that are always drawing some power - but it should be low - like .03-.08 amps. Finding it can be somewhat of a challenge - but identifying if you have a problem is pretty easy.

- First thing you need to get your battery charged up to 100%.

- Get out your multi-meter that measures AMPs and hook it up inline between the battery cable and the battery (negative terminal). So, disconnect the negative lead, hook it to your multi-meter and hook the multi-meter up to your battery. Make sure its on Amps (10/20 amp setting) and measure what is going on. Be sure to have a multi-meter that is strong enough that will be able to handle the load of the electrical system under load. Be careful (Don't) of trying to start your car while you have this hooked in series - because your entire electrical system is running on those little cables running into your multi-meter - and you might burn them out or blow up your multi-meter or worse - like starting a fire...

-Shut all the doors, make sure the lights are all off, etc. lock it up. You'll need to wait for all of the systems to turn off - like parking lights, interior lights. Usually that's 5-10 minutes in my experience. Since my battery is in the trunk, i just flipped the trunk lid catch to fake it out that it was closed.

- look at your the reading and if its more than .0x something - you likely have something drawing power that shouldn't be.

So, finding it is the next step. leave everything where you have it. one by one you will need to pull fuses (and replace them one by one) and check to see if that reduces the draw - or eliminates it.

Once you find the right fuse, you'll need to look at what is on that circuit and trace it from there - which is likely the most difficult part of the process.

[Mistro]

Hotazlava32, your issue sounds like parasitic draw somewhere

musasabi, your's sounds like the pretty typical starter problem (especially the part where if you try again after a few minutes it works)

[musasabi]

Hotazlava32, your issue sounds like parasitic draw somewhere

musasabi, your's sounds like the pretty typical starter problem (especially the part where if you try again after a few minutes it works)

That was the diagnosis last time I posted about it but didn't do anything about it. Haha. Eeeeeeeventually.

[Mistro]

That was the diagnosis last time I posted about it but didn't do anything about it. Haha. Eeeeeeeventually.

lol as long as you don't get stranded somewhere. I kept putting mine off too and luckily it completely gave up at at my house.

[badbluers4]

lol as long as you don't get stranded somewhere. I kept putting mine off too and luckily it completely gave up at at my house.

which replacement did you go with? I'm still trying to decide....

[musasabi]

which replacement did you go with? I'm still trying to decide....

I'll probably go with the JHM one, because OEM/retailer I've worked with before/etc

[badbluers4]

I'll probably go with the JHM one, because OEM/retailer I've worked with before/etc

I meant the battery lol

[musasabi]

Haha. Threadjack fail. =D

[Hotazlava32]

UPDATE: It was the battery.....apparently Bosch batteries really suck.

[VinnysS4]

Glad to hear that the battery took care of it for you. Have you done a voltage drop test on your alternator wire and your starter wire? That would tell you if you have corrosion developing in the cables (can cause poor charging and/or slow cranking) its unlikely, but might be something to check. On my s4, i had a similar situation and after a battery change, not much was different. I upgraded my alternator wire and the car has never even so much as flinched while cranking.

[webmouth247]

Im having a battery/starting issue. Recently took the car on a 1000 mile round trip. It's was hot all weekend 90 to 100 degree weather. Come back and the next day Myou car slow cranks. Ran some errands and came back home with no issues. Had to take off again and the battery slow cranked and died (click click click). Had the battery/alternator/starter checked for issues and neither autozone or Lexus dealer where I do my oil changes at showed issues of beine bad. I do notice the lights take a minute to become fully bright now during these slow cranks. It feels like a dead or weak battery but just not sure. Any ideas?

Also this is a s4 not rs4 so it's auto if that helps.