My car broke. I think it's a battery issue.

My car won't start and I think it has something to do with the battery.

But my battery is relatively new. Maybe a year and a handful of months old.

But, also, when I turn the key I get those multilple clicks from the engine. Ive heard this before and it was a dead battery. But this time only, the phone charger works and lights/radio come on.

One of the contacts has blue crud around it too.

My question is: after I try cleaning the crud off and maybe jump it off too, what else could be the problem? I'm just curious what else would cause multiple clicking besides a battery issue? I didnt think anything caused those symptoms except for the battery.

Just a worried driver over here. One with no money for a tow and parts.

Thanks for the help.

 

It's almost certainly the battery. It might be other things, but that's the most obvious. You should at least rule that out and you already have the right procedure.

 

As someone who spent a couple years going through a new battery every 3 months, Imma just go ahead and say it's the battery.

 

Blue crud? Unusual.
The clicking you hear is the solenoid trying to engage the starter. This usually happens when there isn't enough "juice" getting to the starter. Could be a starter in the throes of failing (drawing more amperage than the battery has to offer). Could be a failing battery. Could be a bad alternator (not recharging the battery as it should).

Clean the cables, jump start if you can. Drive to your neighborhood auto parts store. They should test your charging system for free.

Hope it's a cheap fix.

 

OMG, you take that alternator comment back. I just had that thing "fixed" only several months ago. That was pricey too.

I need a wrench or pliers to fix the connection and I don't have one. My apartment person up front wouldn't let me borrow a simple tool. I don't know my neighboers either.
MEH


I'm really hoping this is a battery issue. My sister will be around later with some tools. Fingers are crossed.

 

Battery issues are never fun. Just had to replace one myself.

Best of luck.

 

I wouldn't mind if it needed replaced. Pennies compared to a tow and repairs. Replacing a battery is easy. Still waiting on some tools. Watching Law & Order in the mean time.

I tried locking my does with the key fob and it struggled to do that. I'm more inclined to think it is just a battery low on juice.

If I get it running again, how long do I need to drive around before I can leave it parked in a parking lot or my apartment for the night?

 

If you recently replaced the alternator, it should be under warranty. Get it checked out.
A fully charged battery is 12.6 volts. A proper alternator output is @14 volts. A good starter draw should be under 400 amps, for most cars.

 

What kind if car is it? The blue stuff is corrosion. Not good. And it dint taste good either. I'm with everybody else. Sounds like a bad battery, possibly a dead cell in it. Battery should still be under warranty

 

2k Ford Mustang. Don't remember where I got the battery or if the receipt survived the move.

Oh wait, it has a Walmart sticker on it. It also has a round yellow sticker that says 8/10. Is that when I bought the battery? I thought I bought one sooner than that.

 

8/10 is when battery was produced. Placed are bad about finding the oldest date coded battery and selling it to you so most of the warranty has expired. If you go to Walmart they might have it in the computer system and might pro rate it for you or if you raise enough hell (if you are in computer) might get real good pro rate. Most batteries have a free replacement period of 24 months. Since you said mustang. I'm pretty certain it is a battery problem. One thing to look at is when you turn the key to the on position does the battery light come on for any period of time???? If not we can go from there. The clicking noise you are hearing is the starter solenoid trying to engage. If Walmart won't help you out at all go to a reputable parts store. They keep real good records in their systems for warranty reasons.

 

Wear gloves and glasses or goggles when messing with the battery.
Get it jumped and follow Cyn's advice above.
This definitely sounds like an alternator/charging system issue. Go back to whomever "fixed" your alternator once you are up and running again.
And just for shits and giggles go look at your car in the dark and make sure no interior lights are on.

 

How many days would it take a charging cord plugged into the cigarette lighter to drain the battery? It is a dual usb one with a tiny led on it but I'm not sure if it is on when the phone is not plugged in but the spare phone cord is always plugged into it.

 

If it is not charging anything it would take weeks with a good battery.

 

I think it would probably take several days with a bad battery. That's not going to be drawing much juice at all.

 

Ah, I see. What if I haven't been driving very often? Going several days between droves. And when I DID drive, it'd only be a few minutes as everything is close to me.

So would months do the trick? I bet it's a drained/dying battery. I'll try to get it working again today. I still don't have a tool to take off the screw on the battery wire thing.