Ahhh . .. . how embarassing! Two times this has happened to me. Today I went to put gas ... 2 miles away from my apt . . . filled up and car wouldn't start. Horn, Windows, Radio, etc worked. Car would try to start and give out. This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time I drove about 60 miles to my old school, was in and out in ten minutes. Car wouldn't start.

Both times someone was nice enough to jump me. Car would start up without a problem right away. Something I did notice was that the negative terminal has some white residue.

What should I do? Common problem?

Car still has dealer warranty but don't want to shell out an inspection fee of $100.00

BTW car has 55xxx miles

 

Probably need a battery. Could be the starter, might be the alternator.

5 years is the upper limit on a battery normally. If the battery's more than 3 years old, switching it out's a pretty cheap first trouble-shooting step.

 

Get a battery terminal cleaner and clean the terminals and posts. Your terminals are so corroded, your battery is not charging. This may prolong the life of the battery a bit.

 

 

Do you have a voltmeter? If so, check battery when its off, and when it's on. if voltage doesnt go up to around 14 when it's on you have a shot alternator....

 

If the terminals were corroded, a perfectly good alternator will not charge the battery.

 

Thanks Yall