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Do I need a new battery?

Tiny
KROCKS6033
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 AUDI A6
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 45,000 MILES
I just returned from a vacation and my car will not start. The radio will play but it will not turn over. It just makes a 'click, click, click' noise. The dealership recommended the battery be replaced. The car does not start when we try to jump start it.

Can the battery be dead when the radio and the air work?

Can my husband change the battery or do you need special tools?
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Friday, April 11th, 2008 AT 4:14 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
A 2002 car would most likely have the original battery, so the answer to your question is yes, absolutely replace the battery. Yes your husband should be able to do this himself with basic skills and a few simple tools. I would price the battery from your local parts house instead of going to the dealer, they will want a premium for theirs, and Kragen or Pep Boys sells good batteries. Also, just a small piece of advice, NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, JUMP START THAT CAR. The sensitivity of the electronics in the modern German automobile makes jump starting risky, don't do it. If the battery is dead, charge it. If it wont take a charge, replace it. I cannot stress enough the importance of this advice.
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Friday, April 11th, 2008 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1996 AUDI A6
  • 140,000 MILES
I need to know if I need a new battery The car won't turn over and the engine light comes on so how do I jump start this car?
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
Measure the battery voltage. 12.6 volts means it's okay. 12.2 volts means it's good but discharged. Around 11 volts means it has a shorted cell and must be replaced.

All cars are jump-started the same way. Connect one jumper cable to the positive battery terminals on both batteries. Connect the second cable to the two negative battery terminals, BUT, almost all experts and directions specify making the final connection to a clean metal part on the engine. Electrically that is the same place as the battery negative post, but physically it is away from the battery. That is done because when the final connection is made, a spark is going to occur. Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas, and a spark can cause an explosion.
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MBGRANT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 AUDI A6
Where is the battery located on Audi A6 1995 Quattro?
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hello,

The battery is under the back set here isa guide to help you change it and diagrams below to show you on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOZYN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1995 AUDI A6
Electrical problem
1995 Audi A6 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I just replaced the battery three days ago. The car ran fine. This morning it would not start. Before replacing the battery I had the alternator checked and was told it was alright. I checked the connections and everything seems in order. This car is driving me crazy. Any thoughts? Thank You
Mike S.
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be a short circuit causing the battery to drain or the alternator is not putting out


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_parastic_draw_1_69.jpg

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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOZYN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
A short circuit where?
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Follow the above battery drain test to locate the problem area
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOZYN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Rasmataz, please do not think that I don't appreciate your help. I do. I do not have the tools to do a battery check. I understand that you are not in the habbit of guessing. However, in your opinion is there one area that would be more likely than another?
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The battery is new unless its defectice too-The alternator was checked it was okay which am very concern with-something is fishy here-the conclusion is a short somewhere-

Test light cost $7 disconnect the negative battery cable and clip the alligator on the negative cable and pointed end to the battery negative post-Is the test lit -if so start removing fuses one by one everyone that you can find till the light turns off-at this point this is where the drain is.

I'll be here I ain't going nowhere
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOZYN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Rasmataz, the car was jumped the car this morning and after a couple of tries it started. The car was driven about a half hour. It was turned off and it was restarted with no problem. I didn't explain earlier that this is my son's car and he's there and I'm here if you get what I mean. I asked him if any of his accessories were not working properly. You know these kids today are running everything (cell phone chargers, i-pods etc) off the cigarette lighter. He told the car has an after market CD player installed. He told me that when he started the car the other day that when he turned the CD player on it began playing a song on a different track than where it was when he turned it off. Does this sound like the culprit?
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test light cost $7 disconnect the negative battery cable and clip the alligator on the negative cable and pointed end to the battery negative post-Is the test lit -if so start removing fuses one by one everyone that you can find till the light turns off-at this point this is where the drain is. Have you done this? If not attempt to do it-something is draining the battery as for the CD player I don't think so if its properly hooked-up
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBOZYN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Rasmataz, I thought that I should let you know the outcome of Audi A6 that we were having trouble starting. It turns out that the culprit was a faulty ignition switch. Sometimes it would work, sometimes it wouldn't. However the old battery was bad and the new one is OK. Anyhow, thanks for your input.
Mike
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Sunday, June 28th, 2020 AT 11:38 AM (Merged)

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