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03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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amy22581
New User
Jun 18, 2012, 1:43 PM
Post #1 of 8
(5419 views)
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03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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Hi all,
I have an 03 Monte Carlo SS, V6, 3.8, 140k. This is EXACTLY what happened:
I pulled in for gas, filled up, tried to start...NOTHING. No crank, silence, and the "check engine" light comes on. The lights, radio, etc...still worked. The car would respond all the way till turning over. I called for help, hooked up jumper cables and immediately after they started their car, I tried mine and it started right up! I didn't wait...because I knew the batt wasn't dead, and the car had only been off for a few minutes to pump gas...not long enough to kill it. It has ran and started fine since this event, for the rest of the day (so far).
Extra info:
- The ABS is out and shows the "ABS" and "Trac off" lights consistently (went out in last month or so).
- Engine oil is low, time for a change.
- The fuel gauge had been moving sporadically, one minute showing almost 1/2 full, a few later showing almost empty and low fuel light comes on. Going back and fourth after low light comes on. Verify by filling up that fuel is actually low.
- It did almost this exact thing about two months ago, but I assumed I actually killed it by leaving something on....radio didn't work and batt took a LONG time to charge, however could never find what was presumably left on for only an hour or two. That seemed to short to completely kill the battery. I had it removed and charged fully, stand alone, immediately after this event.
- Getting an oil change tonight and asking for a battery test! Also checking in with mechanic & getting appointment set up...just wanted a "jump start" on repairs...single lady, just don't want to be taken for a ride :)
Thanks!!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 18, 2012, 1:50 PM
Post #2 of 8
(5411 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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Remove the battery terminals and wire brush them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 18, 2012, 3:29 PM
Post #3 of 8
(5375 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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amy22581 : Do or have the terminals cleaned up and inspected at Hammer suggested and the battery tested.
Just know that lights and things don't use squat for power compared to the starter motor.
I'm really commenting on where you said oil was low and time for a change! PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO TELL YOU and if consuming some oil get in the habit of checking it by dipstick periodically and if leaking find out where,
T
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amy22581
New User
Jun 21, 2012, 1:49 AM
Post #4 of 8
(5311 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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thanks! had the car checked today and both battery and alternator aren't running at full power. Other weird stuff as well, my air filter was all messed up even though I just bought it 3 months ago at last oil change...they replaced it free! Also had burned up power steering fluid (true...it was squeaking when I turned), they replaced that.
@T- don't worry, I get the oil changed regularly and we catch issues that way. I commute 30 mi to work @ almost 150K. I don't check it frequently, but I know how. I've had the car for 5 years, from 60,000mi, so I know the light indicator is pretty accurate. It was low from driving. It was actually the low light, not the change oil light...I don't rely on that as it's time based.
Going to schedule work for the battery/alternator issues. Thanks for the help! Sure I'll be back for more between 150-200K!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 21, 2012, 2:05 AM
Post #5 of 8
(5310 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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? What was wrong with the air filter so quickly?
T
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amy22581
New User
Jun 21, 2012, 2:23 AM
Post #6 of 8
(5304 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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Not sure. The rubber edge was tearing off the filter and the filter was bent/dirty in various places...I bought it at the same place (Sears), at the last oil change. I hope it was just a bad or junky filter and not my car tearing it apart!
I have a feeling the little issues are only going to get worse from here, but that is to be expected when trying to maintain a high mileage (American) car. Going to be shopping for something newer, hopefully in the fall or spring, so I'm going to keep this car going until then, and possibly longer. I'll probably repair anything (transmission, etc...) up to a blown motor or other repair not worth the cost.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 21, 2012, 3:02 AM
Post #7 of 8
(5301 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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Bent, rubber tearing off air filter is most likely from it being installed or handled improperly. What type of dirt could be telling of a lurking problem.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"American" car comment: No real such thing anymore for almost any car maker. GM, Ford, Chrysler have farmed out parts, engineering, and plain had vehicles built from about anywhere. Whole cars have been just renamed but really just minor details to put a brand name on them. Driver's door jam should show where it was built but hard to know where all the parts were made.
Over the years have seen great and horrors from any car maker even despite some ratings of what to expect
T
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 21, 2012, 3:35 PM
Post #8 of 8
(5280 views)
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Re: 03 Monte Carlo, Battery not dead, but starts when jumped...
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If you continue to depend on a little light bulb and the sensor that triggers it to tell you to add oil you are making an expensive gamble. I've had customers who did the same thing blow a $4000 engine because a $15 seal leaked and the $1.20 bulb just happened to burn out. Your 10 year old light bulb was made by the lowest bidder in Taiwan. I would strongly recommend when you fill the gas tank you check the oil personally. Most likely it will be fine, but you'll be kicking yourself the one time you're wrong.
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