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Bought V8 yesterday - now having battery problems (I guess)

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MrTW

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I just purchased (yesterday) a used V8, 2004 with 24k miles on the clock. Everything is in great shape and the car runs perfectly.

Now, today I played around with the electronics with the ignition on for about 30 minutes. I then wanted to drive off and realized that there is absolutely zero power left (cant even close windows!).

Does anyone have any advise on this problem. The old owner told me that the battery is new as he had the same problem in the past and therefore replaced the battery.

I am worried I got myself a problem maker here.

Thanks for any advise!!!
 
#4 ·
The electronics on these vehicles draw an enormous amount of power. It tells you in the owners manual not to run the electronics unless the engine is running. I would also look into an extended warranty if you dont have one, repairs and maintenance are very expensive. I have a 2004 V8 and have had the battery replaced twice in 4 years both under warranty.
 
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#5 ·
There is an excellent DIY on battery replacement in the DIY section. I checked into the price of a battery at AutoZone and it is available for about $130.00 there.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks for the advise! I really like the car but am still nervous about reliability.

We would have the option of returning the car to the previous owner as we all know each other. I am bouncing back and forth about drawing this option in light of reliability. On the other hand if this was a 'normal' issue (I did use all electronics for about 30 minutes without running the car) i might pass on a fun car.... decisions decisions....
 
#7 ·
MrTW said:
Well, we had AAA give us a jumper and drove the car for some time - is there anything else to do in order to charge a battery. . . .
Click to expand...
You need to hook it up to a battery charger IMHBAO. The alternator will not fully recharge it.

Open the hood and look for two red caps in the upper right engine bay. Hook up your automatic charger (12 V) to the metal posts under those caps. Positive first, then negative. Unhook in reverse order when battery is charged.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
DenverBill said:
If you have a cigarette lighter adapter, you can plug it into the power receptacle to the right of the shifter, or one of the outlets in the storage space in the back.
Click to expand...
apologize about the gap of knowledge but you are suggesting to buy a battery charger at autozone, etc and then plug this charger into one of the cigarette lighters in order to give the battery a full charge?
 
#10 ·
I would suggest a maintainer rather than a charger. I use a Vector float mode maintainer on my T (from Autozone, I think) and my Boxster, as they often sit for days without use. The unit charges at either 1 amp or 2; at 1 amp it can be left attached for extended periods without risk of frying the battery. It comes with both alligator clips and a lighter adapter, which is what I use as I can plug it in and then run the cable out the door or rear hatch and lock the T so it goes into sleep mode for the electricals.

A charger is useful to recharge a nearly discharged battery, but not really functional as a maintainer. Google battery maintainers.
 
#12 ·
There is a TSB on the 04's for a battery cable replacement.
It's about a 6 hour job. See if it's been done on yours. It was a warranty item.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
@DenverBill, thanks for the explanation; i will check this out

@spockcat, the volt meter reads 14 continuously when the car is running. I do believe it saw the volt meter go down to 12 when i was playing with the electronics when the car was not running (for about 30+ minutes). So, i really hope that was the problem

@Twin Turbo V10, i believe that all recalls were done but i will go to the dealership next week to check on this (i am currently in my beautiful home town of Koeln, Germany)
 
#14 ·
Just a question,when you charged the battery was it a quick charge or say an hour or so?,sometimes quick charges aren't enough espesically with all the electronics.
 
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#16 ·
Just my opinion,but I would give the battery a full charge from a battery charger,Instead of driving it to charge,you might have to go 100 miles or so for a full charge.
 
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