I'm at the movies last night with my girlfriend and I go to get in the car and my car won't start. I'm thinking my battery is dead. But thats not the case, my radio and my headlights are on.

I realize very quickly after that, that my car isn't even clicking over. No start, no spark, no nothing. So as I become more pissed off, I call my roadside assistance who tells me the tow truck will be there to get my car in 40 minutes. We all know that means 1.5-2 hours. So as I start to get the stuff out of my car, I notice that my iPhone charger is still plugged in the arm rest. So I unplugged it, and for some reason, I tried to start my car and it starts right up.

Thinking that my phone charger must have just been draining my battery and not giving it enough power to kick over, I am stoked. I turn it off and restart it about 4 times, waiting in between each restart. Well after all is said and done, I get home, pull the car in the driveway. Shut it off and think thats it, until I had to go run to the store to grab a few things for dinner. Go to start the car, and the ignition is dead........

I swear, I just got money for new tires, 90,000 mile service and I just replaced my brakes. NOW I have to deal with this. Seriously can never catch a break.....

 

It's the color bro. It's evil

j/k sorry to hear about that.

 

^ he might be right, it's telling to to mod. Don't buy new tires, buy new wheels!

 

Haha I hope its not!

I called Infiniti, the guy said its more than likely the starter if it is bad. That with parts n labor is $550. If its just the ignition its $280 or something like that. Either way, its money I didn't want to spend

 

^ try to see if there is a local mechanic that someone can point you to.

 

Go to pep boys, they do free battery and alternator tests. That way if it turns out it is the battery for any reason, you didnt waste money at the dealership.

I'd actually take it to a local mechanic like socialconflicts mentioned. Will save you a ton of money. If it's the battery, I recommend getting dry cell battery. You'll spend a little extra on it, but it's worth it. Optimas are common. I prefer Odyssey (Odyssey, Stinger, and Hawker are all made by Enersys. Same batteries, different company, different stickers, slightly different model numbers, but the Stinger will be more expensive, so stupid). The PC1500 (Odyssey) will be a direct fit and you can get that for roughly 200-230 shipped if you shop around. I know eBay has it for around that price.

If you leave your headlights on overnight, interior lights on, and for some reason you need to jump start a car even with all that, you can do it with no problems without even turning your car on. They are great daily batteries. I'm using OPTIMA because I got a sponsorship through them.

Another good brand to look at is BatCap's batteries, although those are more expensive, they're solid.

I don't know how the person you talked to came to the conclusion that it's probably the starter without diagnosing it. I had an issue with my car starting up and voltage was normal. Turns out it was the battery. GL with the problem, hopefully it doesn't take too much of a toll on your pockets.

 

What movie?

 

I doubt it's a battery if he just got done starting it a bunch of times.

Relay, starter, ign switch, nats etc..

 

If you find the diagnosis, hit up Extreme G for the fix, he's from the Sac area and might be able to help you out with the install for less than the dealer will charge you.

 

^gettin work done in the sac area huh?

 

Signs point to the battery being dead or close to being dead

headlight and radio draw very little current compared to starting a car.

Most cars are in the 150amp range.

That is A LOT of power!

The alternator will NOT charge your battery.

Take the battery out and charge it or take it to a parts store and they will charge it for free.

Also if your out and the car wont start and the all of a sudden does start....dude dont turn it off. Get home and then try to diagnose

 

Actually the headlights do draw a good amount if left on for too long. But anyone catch where he started the car fine like 4 times?

 

If you are still running and OEM battery, make sure you check the fluild levels.

 

Auto-racist!

I agree does not sound like battery to me. I hate to say it, but I would take it to to Infiniti for diagnosis.

 

Toy Story 3. 3D. Hardest movie of the summer

Now that you mention that, I called and had my girl start the car while I'm at work. I asked her if she thought it struggled and she said thinks its more the battery. I'm out of here in an hour and thats the first thing I'm checking.


I definitely will. I see sedans rolling around out here and have a 2 buddies with them but they don't know much more than I do about replacing anything on these cars. At least there is someone from the forum that is close by. I feel like everyone else is in SoCal or Bay Area.

That's exactly what I did last night. Got it started and got it home. Now that you and don have confirmed my suspicions of the battery, I am going home to take a look at it soon as I'm off




Thanks to everyone else for the input. PLEASE if you have more input let me know, the more info and ideas the better. Keep them coming guys.