Battery problem. Help please?

**JoeyV** · 8-6-08, 10:02

Hello again,

Yesterday my 1993 LS decided to start honking on its own...until the battery ran out. So when I got home(dont bring her to work with me) I asked someone for a boost and removed the STOP fuse since the horn works with that one.

Here's my problem: When the car get's a bosst, it starts and runs fine, it can keep running with no problem so I don't think it's the alternator, but as soon as I turn it off, five minutes later, it won't start up again as if it has no more juice. I have not yet replaced the fuse that I removed yesterday, but I'm gonna do it tonight. Will this fix my problem(not starting without a boost) or do I need a new battery?

Thanks to all those who help.

**JoeyV** · 8-6-08, 14:04

Anyone have ANY info??? I need it to work soon!

**josey_gt** · 8-6-08, 15:04

try taking your battery to a gas station, charge it for $5 and see if that works. if it works for a few days then not, it could be your alternator. GL.

defiler · 8-6-08, 15:48

Put a multimeter on the battery and see what it does when you shut the car off. If it drops off super fast, then your battery is toast.

**JoeyV** · 8-6-08, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by defiler

Put a multimeter on the battery and see what it does when you shut the car off. If it drops off super fast, then your battery is toast.

Where could one get this item? Also, does the missing fuse have any effect?

defiler · 8-6-08, 18:12

Shouldnt have any effect.

You can get a generic voltmeter/multimeter at Walmart for, like, $15.

**josey_gt** · 8-6-08, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by defiler

Shouldnt have any effect.

You can get a generic voltmeter/multimeter at Walmart for, like, $15.

that would actually be a better idea. lol. i just thought the whole charging the battery was a sure fire idea thats all...

**JoeyV** · 8-6-08, 19:42

Thanks guys...I just tested her a gain, and with a boost she ran fine for 10 minutes. Something the charged battery would not ba able to do, so that confirms my alternator works. Once I turned her off, she would'nt start up again, somy guess is that the battery is finished. I'm gonna pick another one up this weekend.

Also, what may ahve caused the horn to go of like that? I did swap out the steering wheel for a 1997 one.

**88626gt** · 8-6-08, 19:47

Usually 5 minutes of idling isn't enough to recharge a completely dead battery... you need a good drive or some highway time to charge it enough.

When the car is running, you should read about 14v ( +/- a little) with a multimeter if your alternator is working properly. If you read 14v, and it still won't start after a good drive, then your battery is shot.

**JoeyV** · 8-7-08, 7:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88626gt

Usually 5 minutes of idling isn't enough to recharge a completely dead battery... you need a good drive or some highway time to charge it enough.

When the car is running, you should read about 14v ( +/- a little) with a multimeter if your alternator is working properly. If you read 14v, and it still won't start after a good drive, then your battery is shot.

I will get one tonight and check this out ASAP, thanks for the precise answer.

**josey_gt** · 8-11-08, 22:25

yeah.. at running speeds, pretty much not idling, you should be getting around 13.7v..