|
Civic '90 battery drain quickly
Hi,
My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely started the car after a few trials. The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or something else? I am pretty novice on cars. Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? Thanks. Tony |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
"bin yan" <binyanmail@yahoo.com> wrote
> Hi, > My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power > this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without > any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee > and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, > the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely > started the car after a few trials. > > The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is > time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or > something else? I am pretty novice on cars. Some ideas: Could be but you're about due for a new battery anyway. On my 91 Civic, the average lifetime of any battery (including one Diehard) in it has been 4.5 years. Old batteries do tend to wear down alternators. It's prudent to replace them before they die completely. I suggest replacing the battery and then getting back to the group. Interstate is a very popular battery name around these parts. For the first time ever, I broke away from Sears Diehards and bought an Interstate a few months ago. Costs about $20 more, but I think it's got a 7-year warranty. > Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? Autozone will do a free test of the battery but I personally haven't had the best experience with them in this particular matter. You could go buy a voltmeter from Radio Shack or similar, check the battery voltage with the engine not running, then with it running and the headlights on, and get back to the group. You should have at least 12 volts with the car not running. It should go over 14 volts with it running and headlights on. Do check that, say, the overhead interior car light switch isn't stuck in the "on all the time" position. |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
"bin yan" <binyanmail@yahoo.com> wrote
> Hi, > My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power > this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without > any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee > and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, > the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely > started the car after a few trials. > > The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is > time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or > something else? I am pretty novice on cars. Some ideas: Could be but you're about due for a new battery anyway. On my 91 Civic, the average lifetime of any battery (including one Diehard) in it has been 4.5 years. Old batteries do tend to wear down alternators. It's prudent to replace them before they die completely. I suggest replacing the battery and then getting back to the group. Interstate is a very popular battery name around these parts. For the first time ever, I broke away from Sears Diehards and bought an Interstate a few months ago. Costs about $20 more, but I think it's got a 7-year warranty. > Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? Autozone will do a free test of the battery but I personally haven't had the best experience with them in this particular matter. You could go buy a voltmeter from Radio Shack or similar, check the battery voltage with the engine not running, then with it running and the headlights on, and get back to the group. You should have at least 12 volts with the car not running. It should go over 14 volts with it running and headlights on. Do check that, say, the overhead interior car light switch isn't stuck in the "on all the time" position. |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:bDLqd.3823$6K5.2845@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net... > "bin yan" <binyanmail@yahoo.com> wrote >> Hi, >> My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power >> this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without >> any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee >> and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, >> the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely >> started the car after a few trials. >> >> The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is >> time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or >> something else? I am pretty novice on cars. > > Some ideas: > > Could be but you're about due for a new battery anyway. On my 91 Civic, > the > average lifetime of any battery (including one Diehard) in it has been 4.5 > years. > > Old batteries do tend to wear down alternators. It's prudent to replace > them > before they die completely. > > I suggest replacing the battery and then getting back to the group. > Interstate > is a very popular battery name around these parts. For the first time > ever, I > broke away from Sears Diehards and bought an Interstate a few months ago. > Costs > about $20 more, but I think it's got a 7-year warranty. > >> Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? > > Autozone will do a free test of the battery but I personally haven't had > the > best experience with them in this particular matter. > > You could go buy a voltmeter from Radio Shack or similar, check the > battery > voltage with the engine not running, then with it running and the > headlights on, > and get back to the group. You should have at least 12 volts with the car > not > running. It should go over 14 volts with it running and headlights on. > > Do check that, say, the overhead interior car light switch isn't stuck in > the > "on all the time" position. > > And it is prudent to check the charging voltage after putting the battery in. It should be between 13 and 15 volts (low when the weather is warmer, high when the weather is colder). I replaced a friend's alternator (the diodes were almost completely toast) and checked the charge voltage. 17 volts! Replaced the regulator (separate device in his Ford), and he wanted to give the battery a chance to prove itself. Once he replaced the battery, the system worked like a champ. I was looking for possible low voltage, but I'm glad I checked. A battery will put up with that for a couple of minutes, but no longer. Mike |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:bDLqd.3823$6K5.2845@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net... > "bin yan" <binyanmail@yahoo.com> wrote >> Hi, >> My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power >> this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without >> any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee >> and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, >> the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely >> started the car after a few trials. >> >> The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is >> time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or >> something else? I am pretty novice on cars. > > Some ideas: > > Could be but you're about due for a new battery anyway. On my 91 Civic, > the > average lifetime of any battery (including one Diehard) in it has been 4.5 > years. > > Old batteries do tend to wear down alternators. It's prudent to replace > them > before they die completely. > > I suggest replacing the battery and then getting back to the group. > Interstate > is a very popular battery name around these parts. For the first time > ever, I > broke away from Sears Diehards and bought an Interstate a few months ago. > Costs > about $20 more, but I think it's got a 7-year warranty. > >> Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? > > Autozone will do a free test of the battery but I personally haven't had > the > best experience with them in this particular matter. > > You could go buy a voltmeter from Radio Shack or similar, check the > battery > voltage with the engine not running, then with it running and the > headlights on, > and get back to the group. You should have at least 12 volts with the car > not > running. It should go over 14 volts with it running and headlights on. > > Do check that, say, the overhead interior car light switch isn't stuck in > the > "on all the time" position. > > And it is prudent to check the charging voltage after putting the battery in. It should be between 13 and 15 volts (low when the weather is warmer, high when the weather is colder). I replaced a friend's alternator (the diodes were almost completely toast) and checked the charge voltage. 17 volts! Replaced the regulator (separate device in his Ford), and he wanted to give the battery a chance to prove itself. Once he replaced the battery, the system worked like a champ. I was looking for possible low voltage, but I'm glad I checked. A battery will put up with that for a couple of minutes, but no longer. Mike |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you live.
Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 years. Heat shortens their life measurably. If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 months with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a Honda battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until then the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed (at least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality batteries. Howard "bin yan" <binyanmail@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:f9f3e149.0411291219.2fbaabf5@posting.google.c om... > Hi, > My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power > this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without > any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee > and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, > the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely > started the car after a few trials. > > The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is > time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or > something else? I am pretty novice on cars. > > Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? > > Thanks. > > Tony |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you live.
Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 years. Heat shortens their life measurably. If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 months with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a Honda battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until then the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed (at least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality batteries. Howard "bin yan" <binyanmail@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:f9f3e149.0411291219.2fbaabf5@posting.google.c om... > Hi, > My '90 civic seems to drain battery quite quickly. It was out of power > this morning (after 4 days of not use). I could jump start it without > any problem. After running the car for a while, I shut off the enginee > and restarted the car, no problem. But after a couple of hours or so, > the battery seems getting quite low, to a point that it just barely > started the car after a few trials. > > The battery is probably more than 5 years old (diehard). I think it is > time to replace the battery. But could it be the alternator or > something else? I am pretty novice on cars. > > Any suggestions for me to test it further before taking it to a shop? > > Thanks. > > Tony |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com>
wrote: >The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you live. >Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 >years. Heat shortens their life measurably. >If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 months >with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price >is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a Honda >battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until then >the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month >battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed (at >least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality >batteries. >Howard Howard, while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. Thanks, Fish. |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com>
wrote: >The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you live. >Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 >years. Heat shortens their life measurably. >If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 months >with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price >is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a Honda >battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until then >the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month >battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed (at >least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality >batteries. >Howard Howard, while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. Thanks, Fish. |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
That would not assist you unless you leave the car unused for a week or more
at a time. Your car has an alternator and a very sophisticated computer that monitors and keeps your battery at peak efficiency. The only thing that hurts the state of charge is abuse by forgetful owners who repetitively leave lights or other power draining systems on, an electrical problem on your vehicle or the age of your battery Howard. "fish" <fishingrod45@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:a4hoq0p9c387t4idi7hkp9i1pukph9kfc2@4ax.com... > On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> > wrote: > > >The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you live. > >Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 > >years. Heat shortens their life measurably. > >If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 months > >with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price > >is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a Honda > >battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until then > >the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month > >battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed (at > >least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality > >batteries. > >Howard > > > Howard, > > while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, > could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with > about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low > voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my > question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i > give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until > it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. > > Thanks, > Fish. |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
That would not assist you unless you leave the car unused for a week or more
at a time. Your car has an alternator and a very sophisticated computer that monitors and keeps your battery at peak efficiency. The only thing that hurts the state of charge is abuse by forgetful owners who repetitively leave lights or other power draining systems on, an electrical problem on your vehicle or the age of your battery Howard. "fish" <fishingrod45@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:a4hoq0p9c387t4idi7hkp9i1pukph9kfc2@4ax.com... > On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> > wrote: > > >The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you live. > >Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 > >years. Heat shortens their life measurably. > >If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 months > >with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price > >is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a Honda > >battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until then > >the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month > >battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed (at > >least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality > >batteries. > >Howard > > > Howard, > > while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, > could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with > about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low > voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my > question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i > give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until > it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. > > Thanks, > Fish. |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
"fish" <fishingrod45@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:a4hoq0p9c387t4idi7hkp9i1pukph9kfc2@4ax.com... > On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> > wrote: > >>The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you >>live. >>Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 >>years. Heat shortens their life measurably. >>If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 >>months >>with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price >>is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a >>Honda >>battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until >>then >>the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month >>battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed >>(at >>least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality >>batteries. >>Howard > > > Howard, > > while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, > could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with > about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low > voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my > question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i > give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until > it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. > One thing you can do for an old battery is use a charger that has a "rejuvenate" setting. I have a Vector charger (available at Wal Mart) that has such a setting. The theory is that when rejuvenating the charger uses high frequency charging to vibrate the sulfates off of the plates, therby adding time to the battery's life. YMMV. WW |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
"fish" <fishingrod45@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:a4hoq0p9c387t4idi7hkp9i1pukph9kfc2@4ax.com... > On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> > wrote: > >>The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you >>live. >>Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 >>years. Heat shortens their life measurably. >>If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 >>months >>with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price >>is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a >>Honda >>battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until >>then >>the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month >>battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed >>(at >>least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality >>batteries. >>Howard > > > Howard, > > while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, > could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with > about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low > voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my > question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i > give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until > it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. > One thing you can do for an old battery is use a charger that has a "rejuvenate" setting. I have a Vector charger (available at Wal Mart) that has such a setting. The theory is that when rejuvenating the charger uses high frequency charging to vibrate the sulfates off of the plates, therby adding time to the battery's life. YMMV. WW |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
Thanks all for your inputs. My civic actually works fine now. I
cleaned up the battery a little. And no problem whatsoever for 4 days already. Of course, I never tried leaving it for more than overnight. But I will stay put till problem comes back up. I didn't think I left anything on last time if failed. Tony "WaterWatcher" <replytogroup@donotmail.com> wrote in message news:<ZKRrd.134204$5K2.60294@attbi_s03>... > "fish" <fishingrod45@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:a4hoq0p9c387t4idi7hkp9i1pukph9kfc2@4ax.com... > > On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> > > wrote: > > > >>The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you > >>live. > >>Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 > >>years. Heat shortens their life measurably. > >>If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 > >>months > >>with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price > >>is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a > >>Honda > >>battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until > >>then > >>the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month > >>battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed > >>(at > >>least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality > >>batteries. > >>Howard > > > > > > Howard, > > > > while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, > > could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with > > about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low > > voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my > > question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i > > give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until > > it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. > > > One thing you can do for an old battery is use a charger that has a > "rejuvenate" setting. I have a Vector charger (available at Wal Mart) that > has such a setting. The theory is that when rejuvenating the charger uses > high frequency charging to vibrate the sulfates off of the plates, therby > adding time to the battery's life. YMMV. > > WW |
Re: Civic '90 battery drain quickly
Thanks all for your inputs. My civic actually works fine now. I
cleaned up the battery a little. And no problem whatsoever for 4 days already. Of course, I never tried leaving it for more than overnight. But I will stay put till problem comes back up. I didn't think I left anything on last time if failed. Tony "WaterWatcher" <replytogroup@donotmail.com> wrote in message news:<ZKRrd.134204$5K2.60294@attbi_s03>... > "fish" <fishingrod45@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:a4hoq0p9c387t4idi7hkp9i1pukph9kfc2@4ax.com... > > On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:47:30 -0500, "Howard" <Howardh@hotmail.com> > > wrote: > > > >>The life of a battery can differ significantly depending on where you > >>live. > >>Here in this part of the country (South) most car batteries won't make 4 > >>years. Heat shortens their life measurably. > >>If you haven't heard, Honda has changed their battery warranty to 100 > >>months > >>with free replacement up to 3 years if defective or fails. And their price > >>is very competitive right now. Make your decision soon if you do get a > >>Honda > >>battery because the price is going up a little on December 1. Up until > >>then > >>the price for the 100 month battery is the same as the previous 60 month > >>battery. The Honda batteries are currently manufactured and distributed > >>(at > >>least here in the south) by Interstate. They make very good quality > >>batteries. > >>Howard > > > > > > Howard, > > > > while we are on the topic, maybe you, or anyone really I dont mind, > > could answer a question i have. My car is a 2001 honda civic with > > about 50,000 miles, so i am about due for a new battery. I have a low > > voltage charger that i use on my lawnmower battery (12 volts), so my > > question is, can i squeeze some extra life from my car battery if i > > give it a good charging every month, or every weekend from now until > > it dies? I dont seem to have any starting problems at all right now. > > > One thing you can do for an old battery is use a charger that has a > "rejuvenate" setting. I have a Vector charger (available at Wal Mart) that > has such a setting. The theory is that when rejuvenating the charger uses > high frequency charging to vibrate the sulfates off of the plates, therby > adding time to the battery's life. YMMV. > > WW |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:12 PM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands