mother been concerned about battery?

2012 BUICK LA CROSSE
80,000 MILES • 3.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PETER THE EATER
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
My mother has been concerned about her battery so she went and had it tested they said the battery was good. Yesterday was coming home from church and it took 4 turns of the key for it to crank. Is there a way I can test the alternator. Or do you think the cold weather is putting the WAMMO ON HER BATTERY? THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT??
Dec 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Investigate the clicking, no-crank condition when it occurs. Have battery condition, cable connections and starter operation checked under those conditions before replacing parts.

Guidance references and applicability

2CarPros: Original discussion 1711622 https://2carpros.com/questions/ignition-84089300 Source for reported history and outcome. Contributor suggestions are not independently confirmed diagnoses. Attachments were not verified. Fluke: Automotive multimeter testing https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/blog/digital-multimeters/common-automotive-testing-with-a-multimeter General battery, starting and charging diagnostic background. Vehicle and battery specifications govern the tests.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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KRAKENAUTO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 107 POSTS
Cold weather definitely can kill a battery if it's just starting to get weak. Do you know how old the battery is currently first?

Also wanted to confirm the vehicle because 2012 is showing a 3.6 not a 3.0 that year and wanted to make sure before looking at the charging system tests.
Dec 15, 2025 at 3:01 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,367 POSTS
When you say it took 4 turns of the key before it started do you mean you turned the key to start and it turned over but didn't start and it took 4 tries to get it to start? Or that you turned the key to start and nothing happened until the 4rth time?
Dec 15, 2025 at 7:11 AM
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PETER THE EATER
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  • 24 POSTS
I think she told me it was 5 yesterday old but all she uses it 4is church on Sunday nd a few places during the week. It probably is a 3.6 .I was not sure about the engine size. I do know it will do some serious ass haulin.
Dec 15, 2025 at 7:14 AM
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PETER THE EATER
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I'm not real sure about the number of times it took for her to get em cranked. Ole ladies tend to zageratte abit.
Dec 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,367 POSTS
The reason I'm asking is that GM uses a prime signal when you turn on the key, that signal turns on the fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system. However if the systems check valve is failing or it has a weak pump it can take 3-4 tries to get the engine to start. So I was going to ask for a simple test. Turn the key to on, not start just run. Wait 2 seconds and repeat that twice more. Now try to start it, if it now starts and runs the pump check valve is likely the problem. It is part of the fuel pump. 80K on a 13 year old car usually means it sets around a lot. That can lead to corrosion in the fuel system and the spring for the check valve fails.
Dec 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
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PETER THE EATER
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Thank you for your response. It's 10.55pm in Memphis tn. right now. I got in the car this morning when it was parked in the garage, it cranked immediately. I then pulled it outside this morning and left it parked outside all day in the coldness we are having right now. After I ate supper I took out of here to take em on a test drive to appease mom. It took exactly 4 turns of the key to crank up. No battery drag just clicks. I am going to try that 15 min. Test you sent me. In a few minutes. Do you have a different analysis after my providing more info?? Thankyou
Dec 15, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,367 POSTS
So your 4 turns were all the way to start but it did nothing just clicked? The engine didn't move until the 4th turn of the key? That would suggest a bad battery or cable connection or a bad starter.
Dec 16, 2025 at 5:11 AM
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Discussion summary

mother been concerned about battery?

The owner initially reported several key attempts before starting despite a battery test described as good. A later cold-weather observation clarified that the first attempts produced clicks without engine cranking, followed by a successful start.

Reported outcome: No cause or successful repair was reported.

The earlier suggestion of fuel-pressure loss preceded the clarification that the engine was not cranking. Battery age and engine identification were also uncertain in the initial account.

Read the original discussion

AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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