Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting New Battery, New Alternator, car still won't start

I replaced my battery and alternator within the last 5000 miles or so. the car ran great. its started every morning even when its been super cold lately. this past monday i went to start my car, and it was completely dead. got some cables and it started right up. i let it sit for about 15 mins and drove it a bit, and shut it off for a few and it still started right back up, so i know its not the starter?? tuesday: had to move to a new parkin spot so i started my car and it started perfect and all. i dont drive it everyday because i have a company vehicle, so i'm not sure if it sittin for a day or two here and there really matters? anyways, wednesday, went to start it, dead. bought jumper cables thurdsday but didn't bother starting it, because i dind't need to drive it thur or friday. saturday morning i needed my car so i used my company vehicle to start it. it wouldn't start at all. it would turn over a LIL bit, but no go. me=upset. today, sunday just tried to start it with a different car. no go. now i dont know if its because of the new jumper cables i'm using. they were the cheapest ones i could find. 8 bucks. haha, i figured either cables work or they dont. i didn't think buyin cheap ones would matter?? does it? anyways, any idea what it could be why this damn thing doesn't wanna start. i got it to turn over a lil today, and the belt turned a lil as well, but still a no go. damnit.

For your company car i dont know what happening, maybe just coincidence.

I don't think your cables are the problems.

For your tour, check for bad battery connections, alternator and starter. Do a draw test, with vehicule off, unplug negative cable from battery and connect an AMP meter between your negative cable and negative battery terminal. Let it plug a few hours and check how many Amps you got.
You might have an electrical accessory that drain your battery in a few hours.

Nic.

I don't know where your porblem really is but here are a few suggestions.

Cheap jumper cables are often useless. I have often had cars towed in that the owner could not start with jumpers but started immediately for us.

New batteries are often not well charged. It may help to charge the new battery fully. Even if it was well charged when it was installed, it needs a thorough charge after you found it dead. Driving the car for a while is not enough. A 2 amp trickle charge overnight is often what is needed if the battery was flat.

I would guess that you likely have a battery draw. Sometihing is not turning off or is shorted. After you get the battery fully checked out and fully charged if it keeps going dead, you will probably need professional help to track down what is acting up.

Batteries that are not fully charged often freeze in cold weather. The battery will have damage after freezing.

I would take it to the auto parts store and have them check it.

I always check my cars myself. First I check the battery. Then I check to see if the alternator is charging the battery. Then I do a voltage drop test to see if the cables and connections are good. I also check to see if there is too much current draw with car turned off. Too much current draw when the car is turned off can drain a battery in a few hours.

To find a current draw disconnect the negative battery terminal, then connect the amp meter between the battery terminal and the battery. Pull each fuse while watching the amp meter until you find the circuit that is causing the amperage draw.

awesome help guys. thanks!!
illkeep ya'll posted on what i find!

Check the MEGA-fuse in the main alternator power cable.

If it is blown it is just like a bad alternator.