Why is my battery dying and my brand new starter bad already?

TBUG

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SL1
200,000 MILES

6 months ago I replaced my starter, my battery is dying all the time. I got alternator battery and starter tested. Batteryand alternator is good. My starter is bad again. Starter usually works but my batter is always dying. Is there a reason why? Is there something else killing them?

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

You may have a drain in the system or parasitic draw. A shop can check this for you.

As far as the starter, was it a new or used unit?

Roy

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 2:26 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one I have seen some of the aftermarket starters fail in a short time. How do you know the starter is bad did you have it tested?Also good point roy was it used or new or rebuilt?

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 3:40 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Also another thing I have seen is self discharging batteries meaning they just wont hold a charge and they go dead all by themselves.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 3:43 PM

TBUG

MEMBER
2 POSTS

First starter was brand new. Went this morning and bought a rebuilt starter just put it in today and had it tested again. It still says low cranking amps. Why would it test bad? Also, last year it wouldnt start, I bypassed clutch pressure switch. Could that be draining it or have to do with bad starter test?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, April 28th, 2012 AT 6:38 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Low cranking amps for a starter?Those are test results for a bad battery.A starter is said to be bad for too high of cranking amps. Meaning the starter is drawing too many amps when its working.