Car won't start after new battery. Very frustrated...
 

Hi guys,

08 accord v6 owner here. Last night on the highway my car started bucking really bad and I pulled over. Car won't start, lots of clicking from the starter. I get a jump and limp my way to wal mart after 2 more jumps. I replaced the battery and it ran well.

I drove home, got my DMM out and read the voltage at the battery when the car was idling and got 12.5 volts. WTF, maybe suspected bad alternator?

This morning I go to start my car and nothing. The interior lights work except when trying to start all of the lights go off.

I don't know where to start. Also, last night I never go a battery light indicating any sort of loss in voltage.

Suspect you have a drain on battery that is pulling voltage down low. This may be combined w/ an alternator that is not performing up to spec.

The voltage of 12.5V you detected while idling is low unless the battery was fully charged and ECM voltage monitor opened alternator (fuel saving feature).

Suggest first cleaning and inspecting battery connections for corrosion and/or poor connections. This can cause your symptoms also.

If good, you will need to perform a parasitic draw test to determine if something is On when keyswitch is Off. Normal current draw for clocks, memory is < 50 MA. See following youtube video:


good luck

Good post guys, hope it gets it's fix. :)

Got the alt bench tested. Alternator is bad. It's at the dealership now getting swapped out. It should be back on the road this afternoon. Thanks guys!