Sometimes needs a jump?

[Rikolas]

Alright, so recently I've had this problem with my car needing to be jumped started. I don't leave anything on in my car, so every thing is off when I leave my car. Sometimes when I go to start my car, I get nothing. My battery has power because my lights turn on and everything, but for some reason it needs to be jumped started. It has happened three times in the passed month. Any ideas?

 

[undefined0000]

Bad battery? A bad battery can still give 12 volts, but not the desired amperage, thus allowing your lights and accessories to get power, but when the starter wants all of the power, there isn't enough.

And by nothing, what do you mean? Do you at least get a clicking noise?

 

[Rikolas]

I don't think I get a clicking noise. I can check if it happens again. It is getting colder outside, so it could be a bad battery. I was just hoping not because that's money can I spend somewhere else.

 

[undefined0000]

Other thing would be bad connections. Sand down the terminals and connectors and see if that helps. The car accessories will run on like 10 volts and appear to be working fine, but since the connection isn't strong enough, the required amps can't be pulled to the starter.

 

[asianandy87]

check grounds, terminals, alternator, or it could be starter wires.

 

[95eclipsegst4]

i would check the terminals, my gsx had that same problem, then i cut some of the cable back to the shinier copper, and put a new terminal on and that helped it

 

[SY1100]

also check the battery cables and make sure they are connected correctly and not work loose.

 

[Rikolas]

Alright, thanks for all the help guys! I'll be trying the suggestions on my next day off to see if it helps.

 

[GSLENK]

just stop by local parts store. They test batteries for free. if it has less than 80-90% of its CCA capacity, (regardless of voltage) the battery is dead. if its 5 years old its dead. if its not 5 years old its still probably dead from accelerated chemical breakdown (abuse, deep cycling, storage etc...) . its called entropy.