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Old 07-08-2005, 09:08 AM   #1
Capt Crunch
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Then : JDM Ver 7 STi
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Default My car just died on me, ***?

I was driving along on rt 28, normal, no problems... and the car just quits. I actually didn't notice until I tried to accelerate again and couldn't. Pull over, and try to start it again, no dice.

Every time I try to start it, I put the key in "accessory mode" or whatever, to let the fuel pump prime, because that's what I always do. Whenever I did this, it didn't work, nothing would happen.

So I pulled the key out, tried again, but just turned it all the way in one shot, and the car fired up, but not very willingly.

Fast forward to this morning and I started the car normally (wait for the fuel pump) and the car started, but, again, not willingly.

Oh also, if I put it in "accessory mode" I get the battery light, the oil light, and the CEL. Don't remember if that's normal, but my oil is topped off.

What could be the cause?

-Ben
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:14 AM   #2
MidnightSti05
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Water?
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:14 AM   #3
D_Block
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt Crunch
Oh also, if I put it in "accessory mode" I get the battery light, the oil light, and the CEL. Don't remember if that's normal
-Ben
That is normal.

Bad alternator? Wish I was more help.
D
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:18 AM   #4
xcntrk75
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By “not very willingly” do you mean it cranks and cranks then eventually fires and starts?

Could be a fuel delivery issue. Possibly as simple as fuel filter?
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:27 AM   #5
WRX11
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May want to check your battery if it's still the same one that came with the car. Mine died in 3 years. Did you ever replace the fuel filter just in case that's clugged? Bad plugs? Bad gas should only run rough.
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:31 AM   #6
Capt Crunch
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could be the fuel filter... I haven't replaced the battery, I think I'm gonna run over to Mach V and get a redtop
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:38 AM   #7
WRX11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt Crunch
could be the fuel filter... I haven't replaced the battery, I think I'm gonna run over to Mach V and get a redtop
Red top was what I was going to do but I needed one fast so got a Sears Die hard.

If you have a volt meter, take the battery cables off and measure the voltage. If it's below 24 volt, it's not a good sign. Put the cables back on and turn on the car and measure it again to see if the voltage rises, if it does, I am pretty sure your alternator is ok.

Make sure to follow the suggestion/procedure for changing the fuel filter, wouldn't want you to get gasoline in your eyes and paint.
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Old 07-08-2005, 09:43 AM   #8
psyber_0ptix
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check fuse, pump shouldnt be bad, filter shouldnt cause a problem to occur "all of the sudden", batter/alternator possibility.


or even the electrical connections, maybe a nut/bolt that supplied the power is a bit loose, tight enough to let it work however maybe over bumps it lodges itself in an unoptimal way.

Last edited by psyber_0ptix; 07-08-2005 at 10:00 AM.
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:05 AM   #9
AcquaCow
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I forget if you're pushing any kind of stereo equipment, but I'd go for a yellow top over the red.

-- Dave
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:17 AM   #10
ydant
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRX11
Red top was what I was going to do but I needed one fast so got a Sears Die hard.

If you have a volt meter, take the battery cables off and measure the voltage. If it's below 24 volt, it's not a good sign. Put the cables back on and turn on the car and measure it again to see if the voltage rises, if it does, I am pretty sure your alternator is ok.

Make sure to follow the suggestion/procedure for changing the fuel filter, wouldn't want you to get gasoline in your eyes and paint.
24 volt?
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:22 AM   #11
N/A
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Take the battery to an Advance and have them do a load test to it. If the battery is getting drained then its not the battery as the car should still run after starting assuming the alternator is charging all the way. If you can get the car or the alternator to Advance then let them test the alternator for you to see if it is bad. If both are good then start with check your fuel pressure and spark to see if one of those is the problem. No sense in buying an Optima for no reason when there are other batteries out there that offer more CCA and CA then an Optima. The only reason to get an Optima would be serious stereo use or if you need to mount it in the trunk of your car and need a sealed battery. The Optima might be pretty and the In thing to have but it doesn't mean its a better battery.
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:22 AM   #12
Jared703
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my battery died in more like 2.75 years. It was not wanting to start easy for a while, and I put off getting a getting a new battery for a few weeks. I just got back from a week in Florida and the car was dead. Got a new one and all is well. I'd look into the battery.

Jared
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:36 AM   #13
sabreofsd
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AcquaCow
I forget if you're pushing any kind of stereo equipment, but I'd go for a yellow top over the red.

-- Dave
I have the yellow top and couldn't be happier. I bought it for around 130$ shiiped IIRC. I can look up the exact amount and where if you want.
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:40 AM   #14
AaronWRX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N/A
Take the battery to an Advance and have them do a load test to it. If the battery is getting drained then its not the battery as the car should still run after starting assuming the alternator is charging all the way. If you can get the car or the alternator to Advance then let them test the alternator for you to see if it is bad. If both are good then start with check your fuel pressure and spark to see if one of those is the problem. No sense in buying an Optima for no reason when there are other batteries out there that offer more CCA and CA then an Optima. The only reason to get an Optima would be serious stereo use or if you need to mount it in the trunk of your car and need a sealed battery. The Optima might be pretty and the In thing to have but it doesn't mean its a better battery.
^^^ best advice. Get you battery and charging system tested before doing anything. advanced auto, autozone, etc will do this free. Also, check costco for optima batteries if you want the best price. I saw them there 1 month ago. (but you know how costco is.. they dont stock the same items all the time)
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Old 07-08-2005, 10:41 AM   #15
AcquaCow
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sabreofsd
I have the yellow top and couldn't be happier. I bought it for around 130$ shiiped IIRC. I can look up the exact amount and where if you want.
Indeed.

I destroyed my stock battery, stock alternator and then a DieHard battery with my stereo.

The yellow top doesn't seem to mind.

-- Dave
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Old 07-08-2005, 11:02 AM   #16
WRX11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ydant
24 volt?
haha 12volt. I am troubleshooting a system at work and mixed it with his car battery. Thanks.
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Old 07-08-2005, 11:05 AM   #17
WRX11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronWRX
^^^ best advice. Get you battery and charging system tested before doing anything. advanced auto, autozone, etc will do this free. Also, check costco for optima batteries if you want the best price. I saw them there 1 month ago. (but you know how costco is.. they dont stock the same items all the time)
most times yes but maybe only my dealing with charge system test was bad. One guy insisted that I need a new alternator, etc or even with the new battery, my car will die somewhere on the side of the road soon. I bought the new battery and never had any issues after that.
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Old 07-08-2005, 11:13 AM   #18
N/A
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In order for that to happen you have to have a battery that is completely dead as in a bad cell and not just one that is slowly going dead. That means there has to be signs ahead of time to warn you of it. A totally dead battery on a modern car will make it die but that only happens if there is absolutely zero voltage being put out. Just like the old cars would continue to run if you disconnected the battery (redneck alternator test) but a modern car will die if you disconnect the battery. This could also be a bad fuseable link or battery cable causing the same symptoms.
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Old 07-08-2005, 11:52 AM   #19
Capt Crunch
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replaced the battery, car starts consistently now, but it still starts up a little lumpy...
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Old 07-08-2005, 01:05 PM   #20
WRX11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt Crunch
replaced the battery, car starts consistently now, but it still starts up a little lumpy...
I woudl check the charging system previously mentioned. So if it is a bad connection or bad alternator, it wouldn't kill your new battery. I would keep a set of jumper cables in the car just in case.
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