Starting trouble

Asked by Frances Sep 04, 2013 at 09:56 AM about the 1996 Ford Taurus GL

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Battery completely dead  had it jump started it lastts a few months after a jump start ... had alterator checked it was ok battery was find at the time too ....staRTs up fine than I stopped turn it off try to start the car it was commpletely dead usually after a jump start it last for about 1 to 2 months it wil happen again... throught it was the trunk switch put stop using the trunk but this time had it jumped and the next day still completely dead.

1 Answer

58,565

It sounds like you have something drawing down the battery. That will take some investigating. NOTE: Do not try to charge a dead battery with the Alternator - you will eventually burn out the Alternator! It was designed to support the vehicle and Maintain the battery's charge only. You'll get away with it for a while but... Also, a battery that has been deep-cycled enough times will fail as well. Automotive batteries were not designed to be run completely dead. A dead battery should be slow charged at least overnight before being placed back into service. Part of what is happening is that you battery is not getting the proper, full charge, your alternator is working at it's max all the time, and you have something drawing current that is going to take a trained professional to find.

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