Hi all, so let's start from the beginning. I'll try to not make it long. Car randomly started up with red triangle and lost power steering drove home and parked. Started up once a day to see if it would go away and it wouldn't. 2 weeks without starting it was dead.. jumped it with a starter pack and the triangle was gone and had steering back. BUT now it doesn't start once turned off. Needs a jump every time and doesn't take long maybe 2 seconds from the front terminal. When I check the 12v on the display screen it reads 12. something when in ready mode. And reads fine on my cheap multimeter. But when off it doesn't read anything. I'm going to buy a new 12v and put in myself and start there.. which one should I go with? Could there be anything else wrong or just start there. One more code I have had for awhile is my coolant control valve..I forgot the code I'll look for my paper on. Thanks for any help guys and gals!
You have a dead 12V battery. Sounds very dead, in fact. In ready mode, it should read about 14 V plus or minus a couple tenths. When off, after sitting overnight, it should be at least 12 V or it's better at about 12.5 V. That's not a complete diagnostic because it's not loaded, but, if it won't give you at least that, it's either needing a charge or not able to hold a charge. With only 12V in ready mode, it may be a problen in the charging system, but I think it's more likely that it's just so dead that it's actually pulling down the charging voltage.
Better do it soon so you don't get stranded somewhere......like in rush hour traffic !!! Get a "name brand" AGM type battery that is listed for your model of car. The size and type of posts and location of posts is important for it to fit right. If you don't need to pinch pennies, get one from a dealer. Will cost you maybe $50 more but you will be sure it fits that way. Seems like a lot of owners have good luck with one from Pep Boys.....a Bosh maybe ??
Thanks so far. I am almost certain now it's just a dead 12v..hoping so anyway. I haven't been driving it so def wont be getting stranded. Autozone or one of those shops said it needs to be professionally installed. I've read a lot of people doing it themselves.. seems like an easy in and out to me. As far as name brand do you mean like a napa version of the Optima yellow top. He advised me for an extra few dollars to get the Optima with the full warranty?
Anyone who can pick it up can change it. Lots of people here seem to like the Optima because of price. I stick with the Toyota battery because, even though they are a little pricier, they are also very well made. There are countless how-to videos.
Yes, given what you have said, I'm SURE it is a bad 12 V battery......unless there is a really bad connection at one of the posts and you are reading on the cable ends instead of the actual posts. No real need for "professional" help with the 12 V battery for most people. The HV battery is a completely other story though. If you have looked at your battery and don't see an obvious problem, you should be fine. Be sure to charge the new battery fully before installing. Do not take their word that they already did that. Optima doesn't have a really good reputation. Some people love them but many have problems. I personally would not use one......and I think that most things from NAPA are over priced. I would go to the dealer before going there.
Thanks for all your help guys. Went to the dealership got a new one and fired right up!! Hopefully all is well. I'll post back in a week or so
My guess is the reason Autozone or whatever shop told you that is because they don’t stock them. Its no harder than any BMW with the battery in the back. Bet they could do those though.
