Jeff928S4

.....sit with the ignition in the number one position before the battery dies - if you have the rear defrost on, the radio on and the heat on 1?

I got out of my car last night and ran in the store for like 6 minutes and forgot to shut off these things while the girlfriend sat in the car. I came out and it wouldn't start - had to get a boost.

Is this normal or is my battery/alternator going?

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

SidViscous

Depends on previous things. If you've been driving short runs for the past three days, starting ang stopping you could be low.

As to is your alterantor shot or not. What voltage do you see at the battery while idling.

Could also be your battery.

Chris_924s

If fully charged , easily half an hour - maybe more (I also had the parking lights on as well)... dont ask.

Sounds like its a new battery for Christmas.

Jeff928S4

Thing is, the battery was replaced just before I bought it......it's about 3 years old now.

I have had the infamous "squeeeeeel" on the odd start up also, could my alternator not be doing it's job due to slipage?

When driving, my voltage is right at 13 - but if I put the heat on that "all heat" button, the car acts like it would if you put on the A/C - it dips the voltage.

Also, on really cold mornings, it feels like it's laboring to start - like the battery isn't fully charged.

Is this still a bad battery thing?

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

sweanders

If you have a battery that is about to die it will be performing very badly when it's cold. Some batteries have 3-5 years guarantee. Maybe you can swap it for a new one if you still have the receipt?

W88951

When you Turn on the Heat / Defrost it TURNS ON THE AC COMPRESSOR. The AC Compressor is turned on in order to provide DRY air when defrosting the windsheild.

AFAIK, most all cars with AC will do this when Defrost is Selected.

theedge

Whoa, 6 minutes is not good at all.

Ive been able to sit for 15-20 minutes in a Nissan truck and then a Nissan Sentra with the stereo blasting and the heat cranked and no problems. The truck didnt have rear defrost, but it had an ungodly wicked heater. Sentra has rear defrost wires.

Edit: Maybe borrow someone elses batt and see if you get the starting problems and stuff that you have with yours. Eliminate one thing at least.

Jeff928S4

Hey - come to think of it - I have the receipt for the battery. It's a NAPA battery. I'll check the date/warrenty when I get home.

This may also be a factor....

I have owned the car for 3 years and the longest I driven in it, non-stop is about 40 minutes and that only happened once. Most of my driving is 15-25 minute trips, but only like once a week. I work about a 2 minute drive from my house.....so, the car barely has time to warm up before I shut if off again (during the weekdays).

Maybe it's time for a long drive?

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

SidViscous

Definitely shot trips are a problem, also don't do the battery any good.

theedge

Time for a few long drives. That kinda stuff will murder the battery.

Keep it a gear low so youre revving high. Charges the battery very nicely. And rev at stop lights too.

I canned the battery once in my dads truck. Went driving for 20 or 30 minutes, only putting it in D when I was getting over 50 or 60k/hour, and revving to like 4000RPM at lights and holding it there. Battery was charged by the end of it.

Jeff928S4

I bet letting it sit in the driveway idling isn't that good for re-charging the battery, eh? Needs to be moving and revving I'm guessing.

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

theedge

It will charge... Eventually

pete944

Those short trips are hard on the engine. Start taking the long way everywhere you go.

Jeff928S4

It's such a double-edged sword - I don't want to put miles on the car so it will stay in good shape, yet not putting miles on the car ends up hurting it!!

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

Sasha

Take longer routs to work, not too long, just enough for oil to get hot - judge by oil pressure gage - should be between 2-4 position at idle. A two minute drive will hurt all kinds of things.
If I am not mistaken, the voltage (measured at battery terminals) is 13.6V and up at idle. If you getting lower, your charging system (alternator, and/or voltage regulator) is getting worse. Also, check the condition of the battery cables/terminals, clean them if necessary. Check grounds as well. Hope this helps.
Sasha.