YellowC4S

Howdy all,

The transmission in the Audi went out, (actually only first gear syncs, I think). The Porsche has been sitting all winter. I try and start it up every couple of weeks and maybe run it around the block a couple times. Anyway, this weekend I went out to start it because I'm gonna have to drive it while the Audi is down and it wouldn't start, just this clicking noise. I'm don't think it's the battery because it's been on charge 24/7, and I just purchased the battery from Sears last August or so. Also, there is this really bad odor inside the car. Any idea's on what could be wrong? New starter maybe?

Thanks to all in advance,

Ray Calvo

If it clicks, doubt if it's the starter.

Do a voltage check (why didn't you do that BEFORE posting?). Should read close to 12V with all loads off, not much of a drop with ignition on. Then see what voltage reads when you click switch to start. My guess is that the battery is bad (does happen).

Bad odor in the car? Have a dead rat inside? Guess is something got inside and died (that type of smell?).

David in LA

Starting the car only once every couple of weeks and driving it just a few miles is insufficient to keep the battery charged - you need to get a battery maintainer.

YellowC4S

I've had it on the Sears charger all winter. Sometimes on 40 amp charge. Sometimes on 2 amp charge.

Speedraser

Are you saying you've had a battery charger on the whole time, rather than a "trickle" charger? If so, that will explain why you have a fried battery and the bad smell...

YellowC4S

Ok. What did I do wrong and how much is it gonna cost me?

ApexL8

It shouldn't cost you anything more than the price of a new battery. Overcharging the battery doesn't usually cause any other problems for the car. I would have a good look at the battery box and make sure there was no leakage.

YellowC4S

Even though the battery is a DieHard and only about 6 months old? Would I be able to replace that under warranty?

nile13

I don't see _any_ reason why you wouldn't be able to replace it under warranty. Just take it to Sears and don't volunteer any information.

Luis A.

Kevin,

You might have boiled off some (most of?) electrolyte. You might be able to add some distilled (only) water and bring it back to life if you're lucky. Get a trickle charger.

viperbob

I do not think I would even try to bring it back to life. Even if it does work today, it may not in a couple of days.

Like the other have said, take the battery back and get a new one. Then just use the trickle charger..

YellowC4S

Okidoke...I love you guys!! Tell me this. The battery charger has 3 settings;

200 amp start
40 amp fast charge
2 amp slow charge

would the 2 amp setting be a trickle?

Dick in TN

A 2amp setting isn't a trickle, it's a slow charge. If you have an 80 AH battery completely dead and charge it at a 2amp rate, the battery will be fully charged in 40 hours. After that you'll be overcharging which will evaporate the electrolite and destroy the battery.

To keep a battery charged in a stored car you need a battery maintainer, such as Battery Tender Plus. You can leave this connected indefinitely as it senses when the battery reaches full charge and shuts itself off. Then when the charge drops a bit, it comes back on, and so forth.

Battery maintainers only charge at 1 to 1 1/2 amps so they aren't designed to recharge a dead battery, and they cost $50 or so, but maintaining a battery at full charge will extend it's life. Over time, it will pay for itself.

This is their website: http://www.batterytender.com/
I have no affiliation, just a satisfied customer. Porsche also offers one that plugs into the lighter but I needed a battery maintainer for several vehicles.

davedelatte

I use one of these on my boats it is worth its weight in gold