I drove my car home about an hour ago, no problems.

I got back in the car 15mins ago, and it won't start. When I push the start button, I get a loud clicking/stuttering noise from (I think) the starter, and the lights all dim.

The battery's only 18 months old, the oil is fine, and I started the car 5 times today with no problem.

Is it safe to push start it? Should I just get it towed? I'm still under warranty.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Sounds like you've got a bum battery. Not unheard of.
Can you get a boost from someone? You can push start it. It's not that difficult with this car. Do it in 2nd and get ready to push the clutch in as soon as it fires.

 

Would the battery go dead in only 15 minutes? I'd look at the alternator as well.

 

No. One of the old fashioned "battery load" tests they use is to turn on the headlights for 20 minutes (nothing else on the car and the engine off), then start it. If the battery is good, the engine should fire right up.

Put a voltmeter on the battery terminals and take a read. Once you get the engine started, do this again. At rest, the battery should read about 12.5V or more. After a cold start, it should give you a reading of near 14.0V. If it reads, 14V, your charging system is OK. If the battery voltage is low, you either have a dead battery or one that will not accept a charge.

 

xviper, thanks again!

I got a reading of 10.38V across the terminals, so I jump-started it from my wife's car with no problem.

I guess I'll head out to Sears and get a battery tonight.

I'm surprised it went so quickly. It's an Optima battery that I bought in March '05.

 

Wow that is very weird. Do you have a system in your car? Something must have drained all it's juice somehow.

 

You are the second poster in the last 24 hours to say their Optima died. The quality of those of late have been extremely suspect. If you get a good one, it's really good. But a lot of people have been getting bad ones. You should get some money back.

 

Odd...that makes me the 3rd Optima to have died recently...mine went about 1 month ago.

 

Note to self:

Get more Optima car batteries.

 

Ok, I went to Sears and got their Diehard Gold battery. $75 with a 36-month money-back warranty, so not too bad.

Guess we can close this thread