why won't my car battery turn over even after a recharge?
I have a 2002 Lexus IS300. I bought a new red top Optima battery about 2 months ago. Last month, i went on vacation for the whole month and came back to find my car dead. I left my spare key to my buddy to start but i'm past getting mad at him. We went and got my battery recharged where I bought it. I just put the battery back in my car and still no luck. Should i try to jump it again? we tried once before to no success. i'm getting kind of irritated, but i don't want to go buy another battery without exploring all my options.
Update:i called my brother. he owns a company that modifies high end euro's as well as old muscle cars and japanese sports cars. he told me to have it load tested. he told me Optima's are crap and he said its probably completely dead and acting as a ground. he told me to get a battery from Lexus (since i guess the dealership has the best batteries). If that doesn't work, he told me to start pulling fuses that have anything to do ignition or the starter and see if it's fried.
does that make any sense to you guys? i would've talked to him first, but i live overseas and its hard to get a hold of him sometimes. with 100% of all my other car problems he's been exactly on, without even seeing the car.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
If you tried to charge that particular type of battery any higher than 2 amps slowly, you permanently ruined it! If by chance the starter solenoid in bad it can be replaced fairly inexpensively. If you have to buy a new OEM Denso starter from the dealer, turn your pacemaker on first. The joys of owning an off-shore company car will irritate you to the tune of at least $675.00 for a new one, plus labor to stick it on.
"Even New Batteries are Bad sometimes" Jumped with no Luck? Turn on the key and all the Dash & System Lights come on? Battery Cables are Loose/Damaged by Corrosion, is the Battery Distended (Swollen, Internally Shorted) on the sides, Bad Starter Solenoid and/or Relay, Check all Grounds {Battery to Frame & Block, Alternator to Block, Starter to Block & Block Strap to Firewall} are Clean & Secure.
First, have the battery load-tested where you bought it. If the battery is good, there could be a problem with the ignition, or more likely the starter.You can also go online and get info on how to reset vehicle codes, then call lexus, they can tell you what the codes mean
Check with Optima @http://www.optimabatteries.com/home.php Optima batteries should not be quick charged or at a high amperage. You may have to get with the company about warranty.
Take your "new red top Optima battery" back to where you bought it and have it tested. Or for that matter most any competent auto parts store should be able to load test it for you.
Good Luck
My guess would be a bad battery. If that's not it then it probably has something to do with the starter.
Not the battery. Probably the starter.
could be starter solenoid as it won't engage the starter motor it will act like it is dead. Orr the starter motor itself is hooped. That too can be tested at a motor rewind shop.
There are two possibilities beyond the wellness of the battery. One is the alternator - it may be bad or on its way to that. Number two is that you may have bridging connections in your wiring.
My first guess would be that your alternator is shot.
If not that, then something else is draining your battery...something BIG. A short (which would be pretty dangerous) or a defective fan motor.