Dead cell in battery?

[DubbDesigns 10+ year member]

I have an 01 altima and every now and then, seems like when I pump gas, the car wont turn over. I hear the starter trying to crank over but all the lights go real dim and seems like the battery is dead, but when I am not trying to start the car all the lights and headlights are bright as usual. Then I have to jump it or push the car and roll start it. But when i go to jump the car I just have to hook the cables up and dont even have to let it charge and it has no problem starting at all.

It only does it every now and then. Like maybe 3 or 4 times a week.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

The alternator seems to be working ok and I dont think its the starter solenoid cuz it actually is trying to turnover but doesnt have enough juice.

Could it be a dead cell or something? I dont know how old the battery is, I know its atleast 2 years old, but I have only had the car for about 2 years so I dont know when the last battery was put in. Its weird that it only does it every now and then

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[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

It's the battery. Most common batts only last a year or so, depending on the use. Make sure that there's enough water in the battery (assuming it's a regular acid battery.)

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

your lights SHOULD go off when you are starting the car, as well as all the other electronics...it takes a lot of power to turn over an engine..

 

[DubbDesigns 10+ year member]

your lights SHOULD go off when you are starting the car, as well as all the other electronics...it takes a lot of power to turn over an engine..

I mean like if I had the headlights on they go completely out opposed to just dimming a bit when starting.

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

I mean like if I had the headlights on they go completely out opposed to just dimming a bit when starting.

They are supposed to turn completely off, usually the 'start' position of the key cuts off all power except the starter

 

[fbi90909 5,000+ posts]

They are supposed to turn completely off, usually the 'start' position of the key cuts off all power except the starter

not all headlights turn completely off. most dim down real good when cranking the engine.

though to the original post. just go get your battery checked at a parts store. it may just be that time for a new one.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

They are supposed to turn completely off, usually the 'start' position of the key cuts off all power except the starter

Maybe newer cars... all the cars I've worked on (granted they're all '99 or prior), the lights stay on. I've always thought that was dumb... but, whatever. I can see how cars with automatic lights would do that. But my car has manual lights, so, it doing that would be a miracle. lmao.

But OP, hit your battery with a DMM, or a Volt-meter... it should be no less than about 11.5 volts. Even still, batteries should stay over 12v. If you don't have anything to see what the voltage is, first, make sure there's water in the battery (pop off the little caps ontop of the battery. There should be 2 with 3 cylinders under each cap... there should be enough water to just be inside the cylinder. You don't want to over-fill it and get acid all over yourself.) If it has enough water, go get it checked at an auto parts place. They should do it for free.

 

[audioatg 10+ year member]

I have an 01 altima and every now and then, seems like when I pump gas, the car wont turn over. I hear the starter trying to crank over but all the lights go real dim and seems like the battery is dead, but when I am not trying to start the car all the lights and headlights are bright as usual. Then I have to jump it or push the car and roll start it. But when i go to jump the car I just have to hook the cables up and dont even have to let it charge and it has no problem starting at all.
It only does it every now and then. Like maybe 3 or 4 times a week.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

The alternator seems to be working ok and I dont think its the starter solenoid cuz it actually is trying to turnover but doesnt have enough juice.

Could it be a dead cell or something? I dont know how old the battery is, I know its atleast 2 years old, but I have only had the car for about 2 years so I dont know when the last battery was put in. Its weird that it only does it every now and then

Where you pumping the gas pedel while you were trying to start the car lol. Or did I read that wrong.

Like the other guy said. Take a DMM and check that voltage on the battery. Or you can also take that batt out and take it to a local autozone and have them test it. Your alt could be shot to and not charging battery. Being you said this happen 3 to 4 times a week. You could also take it to a local garage and have them do a starter alt battery test as well.

 

[frdfandc 10+ year member]

You need the battery tested. A battery can still show 12 volts, but only have 5 CCA's. The battery needs LOAD tested, not DMM tested.

Don't pop the little caps off, because your battery doesn't have them. Its a sealed battery. And OEM batteries will last longer than a year. More along the likes of 3-4 at the max.

If your alternator was not charging, you would be having more issues than just a starting problem. The car would be dead due to running all accessories off the battery. And with your system rocking, the battery would not last longer than 5-10 mins.

Take it to Pepboys, Autozone, Checkers, or what ever kind of auto store is in your area and have them LOAD test it.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

sounds like a bad/corroded conection on the battery to me, take the terminals off and get some cleaner and wire brushes, clean them up good even if they look good, should solve the problem

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

You need the battery tested. A battery can still show 12 volts, but only have 5 CCA's. The battery needs LOAD tested, not DMM tested.
And OEM batteries will last longer than a year. More along the likes of 3-4 at the max.

right, obviously if it shows 10v you are pretty much done, but yes it could show 12 all day and only have 100cca and staright die as soon as a load is put on it, next tool im buying btw, had one at my old work, sweet as hell. I had a batt show 12v wouldnt start the car (car sat about 4mths), was like 250cca, left it on 2 amp charge for a full day (24 hours), then showed 500cca out of 650, has been good in my daily for 6mths now.

And yes, saying an oem batt lasts 1 year is retarded lol. I have seen them last 5 or more, just depends. You shouldnt turn on your headlights then start the car anyways, unless they are auto headlights which you cant help

 

[audioatg 10+ year member]

right, obviously if it shows 10v you are pretty much done, but yes it could show 12 all day and only have 100cca and staright die as soon as a load is put on it, next tool im buying btw, had one at my old work, sweet as hell. I had a batt show 12v wouldnt start the car (car sat about 4mths), was like 250cca, left it on 2 amp charge for a full day (24 hours), then showed 500cca out of 650, has been good in my daily for 6mths now.
And yes, saying an oem batt lasts 1 year is retarded lol. I have seen them last 5 or more, just depends. You shouldnt turn on your headlights then start the car anyways, unless they are auto headlights which you cant help

Last for 5 years. I dunno about that. I guess you never heard of ACdelco batteries.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

Last for 5 years. I dunno about that. I guess you never heard of ACdelco batteries.

I dunno, I worked at dealerships for the past 8 years or so selling parts and I have seen some old ones in the cars. Mopar batteris have been switching on and off between Exide and Interstate so could be either battery.

 

[audioatg 10+ year member]

I dunno, I worked at dealerships for the past 8 years or so selling parts and I have seen some old ones in the cars. Mopar batteris have been switching on and off between Exide and Interstate so could be either battery.

Yeah I worked at a dealership too as a mechanic GM place. ACdelco wouldnt trust an OEM battery If my life depended on it after a year or soo. What part of the country are you from. I dont trust oem batteries at all. I been working as a mechanic now for over 12 years now. I seen way to many go after a few years of being in the car. I guess you have to see what kindof area you are from Too. In NJ here you think its really hot out alot in the summer days so you got all those ppl running the cars at idle keeping the ac at full blast. You have different winter temps as well. More things go into it but really OEM batts dont really last that long. I can see Interstate going that long but ACdelco HA. I remember replacing them under warrenty ALLLL the time. I just reread what I wrote and its a random paragraph. lol. And think too up top of a oem battery you got a system in it as well.