Do I need a new battery or something else?

Asked by joshisanonymous Jan 05, 2013 at 02:33 PM about the 1999 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car sat for 4 months without even being started up. When I finally did start it, there was no problem. It was taken to a mechanic for a coolant issue and they ran the car a good half hour with no problem. I then drove it about 2 miles homes with no problem. Two days later I went to start it up again and it did absolutely nothing. Not even the power locks were working. I had AAA come out to jump it and their jump packs weren't strong enough but they were able to jump it from their truck. It sat and ran for 20 minutes. I turned it off and then tried to start it again and it just sputtered out. The tow truck driver told me it's the battery but the battery is less than 2 years old. Is he right or could it be something else?

4,935

300SDLGUY answered 11 years ago

It is not unheard of for a battery to fail after two years, usually after it has been drained of power too many times, or could just have been a defective battery to start with. If a battery is drained too often, it can become weak, and ultimately fail to charge regardless of age. Depending on where you purchased the battery, it is most likely under a warranty should say on the battery somewhere, and will be replaced free of charge or prorated, so if you can take it back to where you purchased it, do so, or you can go to most any auto parts store ie: Autozone, Pepboys etc and they can test it for free.

1 people found this helpful.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Do I need a new battery or something else? 1 Answer

My car sat for 4 months without even being started up. When I finally did start it, there was no problem. It was taken to a mechanic for a coolant issue and they ran the car a good half hour with no p...

1999 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

-

Maintenance & Repair
I have a 2000 Ford Contour. I ran a few errands yesterday with no issues. I did not hear any changes in how the car starts or how long it takes. I went out to my car today and it does not turn over. All lights/electricity is on, it makes the sound like its trying to turn on, but will not turn. I bought a new battery hoping that was part of it. That is not the issue, left it plugged in over night and did not drain, so it does not appear to be alternator (which was recently replaced) what else could it be? (I am thinking of the starter, but could it be anything else?) 3 Answers

I ran a few errands yesterday with no issues. I did not hear any changes in how the car starts or how long it takes. I went out to my car today and it does not turn over. All lights/electricity is o...

2000 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

-

Maintenance & Repair
I have a 2000 ford contour that I bought in April the car worked great then as it started getting cold it doesn't want to start. I bought a new battery and new terminal and still having problems? 1 Answer

The car is from Texas so this is its first year here in Ohio don't know if that had anything to do with the problem....

2000 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

-

Maintenance & Repair
flashing/blinking battery light 2 Answers

okay, so i have a 1999 contour LX 4 door, and i have a friggin problem. First, i have changed everything from the engine block up because it was done for. I changed the head, gears, cams, water pump, ...

1999 Ford Contour 4 Dr LX Sedan

-

Maintenance & Repair
Need help URGENTLY. Have a 1998 Ford Contour 2.0L 4cyl engine. Car will not start. Has brand new battery, has fuel and spark, but won't turn over. Thinking it's timing or compression. HELP! 12 Answers

My 1998 Ford Contour will not start. Car turns over so starter ok, Checked fuel and have pressure through fuel line. Have spark at spark plugs. Car cranks but does not start. Thinking it's either co...

1998 Ford Contour 4 Dr GL Sedan

-

Maintenance & Repair

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.