Battery Dies

DANIELGUY1965

MEMBER
HONDA ACCORD

I have a 1987 Honda Accord.
If I drive it a short distance, turn it off, and try to start it again the battery is dead.
If I drive it a long distance and leave it sit for hours it is fine.
It has a new alternator and a new battery.
The volts on the battery, while running, is over 13 volts. So it appears the alternator is working properly.

The car can sit over night and start fine in the morning, so there is no drain on the battery. But, if I drive it up the street to the store. Turn it off and try to start it again, the battery acts like it is dead. Once I put the jump box on it, it starts right up.

8 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

Check the wires going to the battery from the altinator. The altinator could be putting out the 13 volts but it seems it is not charging the battery. With the car sitting the battery will recover somewhat just by sitting. With the car running disconnect the negative side of the battery. The car should keep on running, if not it is drawing voltage out of the batter to keep running. Have you noticed the headlights growing dimmer at night, or accessories not working normally?

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Monday, June 18th, 2007 AT 4:43 PM

DANIELGUY1965

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No I have not noticed any lights dimming.
I did replace both battery cables and it seemed to work for a short time. Then it started acting up again.

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Monday, June 18th, 2007 AT 7:50 PM

MIKE H R

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Even with 13 volts at the battery. Try disconnecting the negative side while the car is running. It seems like it is not charging or the voltage regulator inside the altinator is grounding out ht e charge. Is there a store like auto zone near you? If not take it to a garage to check the amount of voltage going into the battery when the car is running.

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Monday, June 18th, 2007 AT 9:26 PM

DANIELGUY1965

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I did exactly what you said. I removed the negative cable while the car was running and it did not shut off.
Could it be the starter?

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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 5:14 PM

MIKE H R

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Does it start all the time with a jump box? When you try to start it and it doen't can you hear a clicking sound comming from the starter solonoid? The starter could be the problem, it seems like it gets hot it does not want to crank over and when it cools then it starts. Re check the wires from the battery to the starter. What puzzles me is that you replaced the battery and cable and it worked all right for a while.