Car Batteries

My 03 Honda cranked up this AM, at 21 degrees and I went to VA in Jackson, 67 miles.
If set in lot for 5 damn hrs. Cranked and went to a place that's not in the Baptist record for about 1 hr. Then on to home. I stopped about 4 blocks away for a 6 pack. Then nothing.
Question. If the cold killed the damn thing, how come it lasted all day?
Damnifino. BTW I know nothing about the rice burners.:(

I had to replace my '03 Honda Civic's alternator last Spring, might want to get that checked. Was your battery light flashing? Mine did that intermittently for a few months before the alternator completely quit.

Sometimes the cold will cause metal to expand and loosen a contact. Try tightening the connections. Or wait for spring.

busterb;699184 wrote:

Question. If the cold killed the damn thing, how come it lasted all day?

1) Traditionally, batteries died because they are failing. And the cold further reduces its energy abilities. But lately, I have been seeing batteries fail when they once never did. Suddenly, after driving for over an hour, on a summer day.

2) Yes, the charger system should be confirmed just to avoid another failure. That means using a multimeter when the car is not running, when the engine is idling, and when the engine is revved above 1500 RPM. All measurements done with all heavy power consumers (high beams, heater fan, rear window defogger, etc) all powered on.

A perfectly good charging system is above 13 volts when the engine is running. A defective battery drops to 11 volts. Only way to get a useful answer is to post those numbers.

Battery light only reports a few catastrophic failures. Does not report most charging system failures.

3) Another number. How old is the battery?

4) And finally, twist each wire where it connects to the battery. Those connectors should not move. A problem often created by mechanics (so many failures traceable to humans). The black wire is loose.

went to a place that's not in the Baptist record for about 1 hr.

That is a damn colorful description.

Undertoad;699288 wrote:

That is a damn colorful description.

true dat.


My battery light is just for decoration. I like to think the warm red glow is reassuring me that I have a battery and it is just fine.

tw wrote:

But lately, I have been seeing batteries fail when they once never did. Suddenly, after driving for over an hour, on a summer day.

This has nothing to do with busterb's problem... but batteries that are somewhat on the edge of death can fully kick the bucket if they overheat. Summertime around here is car battery death time.

About 98 bucks for new battery fixed the sucker.

busterb;699184 wrote:

...a place that's not in the Baptist record...

Undertoad;699288 wrote:

That is a damn colorful description.

I also tripped over that description. I like.

busterb;699864 wrote:

About 98 bucks for new battery fixed the sucker.

Any kind of car repair, if you can get away for $100, run like the wind.

Glad ya got out cheap.