fpique

I check it...

I have an 2000 TL for some reason my battery loses power and I cant start my car.
From time to time I have to re-charge my battery... Does anyone have any clues to what the hell is going on?

I don't want to buy a new battery if there is nothing wrong...

HELP

rets

Welcome to the forum

Move to 2G TL forum.

subtledreamer

well batteries are usually replaced after 5-6 years of use (correct me if im wrong) so i guess its about time? and since you said its time to time then that shows that its running low.

mmm may i recommend Optima batteries for your new one

fsttyms1

mine started to do the same thing. get teh optima. it will out last all other batteries

Lawaia

Be happy you got 4+ years out of your stock battery. Sounds like it's time to get a new battery. But you may also want to have the charging system checked out at the same time. Sears will do a load check for free if you get the battery from them.

fpique

Thanks.. for the input

subtledreamer

I guess it depends on how much you drive the car. I have a '99 and still running on the stock battery. Only 43k miles though... but think it's going to be replaced soon.

fpique

see my car has damn near 75000 mi

fpique

How do you know if your alternator is bad?

fla-tls

The life span of a battery also depends on your climate. In FL you're lucky to get over 3 years out of a battery. I just replaced mine a couple of weeks ago in my 2002. It wasn't really bad - but I didn't want to get stranded somewhere.

I don't necessarily agree that you should get an optima battery. Sure, they're the best battery around, but they cost as much as 2-3 regular batteries. I can get an easy 9 years from 3 regular batteries - where the optima might be 5-6.

Now - if you need a deep cycle battery because of a big audio system, etc., than a yellow top might be appropriate.

fsttyms1

they typically start getting a faint whine, and the battery wont be charged by it. bring the car in and have some one load test the battery and see if its bad, sears is a good place to do it . i got 4 years and 154k out of mine.

Tom Blasing

Isn't there an idiot light on the dash that signals a constant electrical discharge?

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

The battery warning indicator lamp will light up if it's not being recharged.

A good way to find out if your alternator is bad is to start the car, then disconnect the battery. If the car dies, then the alternator is bad.

Also, if it doesn't start although the battery is good, but will start when jumped, then it means it's going bad. It should start on 12v, but when it's going out, it will need 24v to start.

Usually it could either be the alternator itself or the voltage regulator. But the voltage regulator is built inside in the alternator, so you have to replace the entire unit anyway.

fla-tls

Any one of those Autozone-type places have equipment they can wheel out to your car and check the status of the battery and charging system.

They should do this for free.

Ken1997TL

Any decent electrical shop will do a free test of your car's systems

tweedle99

iTrader: (2)

Easier way but you'll need a voltmeter. Measure the voltage across the battery when the car is not running and measure it again when your car is running.

If voltage not running is > running = bad alternator which can also cause bad battery.
if running > not running. = good alternator, usually bad battery.

nick04tl

you probably have a bad internal cell in your battery and it will not hold a charge. if it is the original battery i would replace since its at the end of its service life.

manzanillo77

I have TL 1996 with new battery and still the same problem,starts when is jumped,still working without battery,alternator problem?

SC2.2CL

You can also wait till the car woln't start and all you hear is a clicking sound...
Then you know for sure that you have a bad alternator, and by this point probably a bad battery too.

spl1011

24 volts? Please dont ever jump my car!!!

spl1011

^^^ Genius... well said.