1984 Mercury Sable Battery vs Alternator

10,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JERRYTHEK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi!

My Mercury Sable is my backup car, and sometimes sits as long as a week without use. I live in CT and the late winters can be cold.

My battery is less than a year old, and recently I tried to start my car and it wouldn't turn over, after almost catching. I jump started it with cables, it started almost right away, I ran it on the highway for 30 minutes, and it was fine. Drove it a couple of times in the next day or so, and it started right away.

It then sat for another 5 days without being started, and wouldn't turn over. Seems like the battery just drained, even though the weather wasn't very cold over those 5 days.

The battery is under warranty, but I believe my alternator is fine, since it jumped ok and ran as I described.

My fear is that the garage that sold me the battery under full warranty will try to tell me I need a new alternator instead of replacing the battery for free.

What are my options, and is there someway from what I describe that you can tell its the battery and not the alternator?

Thanks!
Jerry
Apr 13, 2009 at 4:01 AM
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BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
I would not suspect an alternator
but I will still give it a check
I would suspect a battery and or something is draining the battery
and need to do a battery draw test

need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm
Apr 14, 2009 at 2:46 PM
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