Dead Battery?

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ThirdgenTa

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I was wondering if anyone else had this same problem. So far this has happened 3 times in the last year. I detail the SUV's exterior almost completely. While I am waiting for the wax to haze over I start the interior. I turn the key to accessories, roll the windows down a little and clean the tops of each one. Once thats done I close the windows back off and take the key out. Then the rest of the time is spent doing the usual vacuuming and wiping down the seats.
When I go to have the customer pull the car outside the battery is completely dead. Now while I am doing the interior the key is OFF and i'm opening and closing doors when I am done with them.
The one I had yesterday wouldn't start for like 10 minutes after a jump. I guess it was because the battery terminals were so corroded so I cleaned them.
It's just kind of embarrasing and was wondering if it happens to anyone else.
I know my car I can leave everything on for a few hours before the battery dies.
 
Hello Neighbor..
The older the battery the less it will hold its charge, turn the dome lights off instead of the open door switch, just to avoid that issue again.
 
On a lot of newer cars if you keep the doors open it will shut the lights off automatically. If the car your working on has that feature you could leave the doors open so the lights dont turn on and off. If not just shut off the dome light

Extreeme heat is hard on batteries. With the heat waive we have had around the country it could be contributing to the problem you're seeing
 
is this your own vehicle? no way what u did could cause battery to go dead in less it is shot . corroded posts and terminals is not good either . take it to any battery place and they will test it for free. most replacement batteries have a eye on top of battery that changes from green-good to I believe black- bad to visually tell u battery is bad . or for about $30-35 u can buy a load tester and this will tell u if u have bad battery or alternator . i can run extended time with radio and 2000w of amplifiers without vehicle running but I have a optima yellow top
 
It happened to me yesterday with the BMW I was detailing... and the jumper cables I had would not fit in the smaller terminals of the stock BMW battery. I ended up using my AAA membership, they came out with a jump pack and had clamps small enough to fit the Bimmer battery.

I'm sure the heat had something to do with it... it was 102 F outside, I have no idea how hot my garage was.
 
I doubt the outdoor heat was the deciding factor in a dead battery. I'd say battery is junk or getting there . u know how hot a motor or engine compartment gets from running? a standard thermostat needs the coolant to reach about 190 degrees just to open . a simple jump will in fact get u started but next time u need to start again u could be a sittin duck. best bet is get that battery tested
 
This happens to me now and them. Some of the cars I do are ready to be sold and have been garaged for ages. Who knows how old the batteries can be. To remedy this I bought a jump starter pack that I carry around in my trunk. It has a built in battery with jump starter cables and a compressor! This way I can jump the car without embarrasing myself. Of course I let the owner know it might be time for a new battery.
 
Rav777 said:
This happens to me now and them. Some of the cars I do are ready to be sold and have been garaged for ages. Who knows how old the batteries can be. To remedy this I bought a jump starter pack that I carry around in my trunk. It has a built in battery with jump starter cables and a compressor! This way I can jump the car without embarrasing myself. Of course I let the owner know it might be time for a new battery.
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perfecto. I thought of getting one of these myself if my battery ever went kaput . I live alone with only one vehicle and would have to call or ask for help from ? battery charger will do it if u battery is dead in u driveway, but would have to wait a while to charge up, but if u away from home that portable booster will come in handy .
 
I have a jump box that I use on occasion... I was doing a stupid Tahoe that the back gate is power and it shuts itself after 15 min plus every time you walked by the side steps the lights would go on in the car and out of the car and the seat would move after you sat down in it... I had to jump it 3 times during the detail... It is common on the newer ones to do this because they are so "intelligent"...
 
anyone have a good brand recommendation on one of these portable jumpers?
 
poweraid said:
anyone have a good brand recommendation on one of these portable jumpers?
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I got mine at Costco. I believe the brand is Peak. I went to Sam's club as well and saw them there too. It has been a lifesaver!
 
If the battery went dead that quick is was on its way out.

those $35 load teasters are JUNK! don't waste your money.

invest in a good battery charger and when you start the interior take a few seconds to hook it up till your done.

I do this all the time and never had a vehical fail to start.
 
It's just kinda embarassing because there is that awkward moment when you gotta figure out what to do. The 3 different cars had soccer mom owners and they didn't really understand why the battery was dead. I guess I kinda feel guilty cause I feel like it's my fault.
Yesterday when that truck wouldn't start for such a long time even with cables on it I thought somehow I messed something up and I was going to have to call a mechanic. I thought the computer or something fried because there was absolutely nothing when you turned the key.
 
i do several older cars for a carlot,and i have a small battery charger that i hook up,when it get here. saves time waiting to charge ,and doesnt burn the alt up,taking it back.i do this to every car,even newer ones that turn things off,just to make sure it doesnt happen. i put a mashed jug over the latch,so it wont close all the way.
 
dad07 said:
If the battery went dead that quick is was on its way out.

those $35 load teasters are JUNK! don't waste your money.

invest in a good battery charger and when you start the interior take a few seconds to hook it up till your done.

I do this all the time and never had a vehical fail to start.
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I don't have a "load tester" I have and use a jump box. They aren't a waste of money by any means it has saved my butt on numerous circumstances.... I have worked in many auto repair shops and they all have at least one jump box... The one that I have cost me $40.00 a few years back and keeps on going strong with no worries...

I don't want to have more cords to look out for when I am walking around a vehicle that is why I don't use chargers.
 
Can't say that I've had that problem, but I have started opening all the doors and lift gate and leaving them open will allow the dome light to go out after a period of time. Each time I open or shut a door, the dome light comes on for the 10 minutes or so. By having all the doors open, it's only on for the first 10 minutes.

My jump start unit is also a Peak. Haven't had to use it yet, but it's there just in case. I bought it mostly for the compressor and 110 inverter. The compressor is great for garden tractor and cart tires.

It would be embarassing to have the customer end up with a dead battery, but with corroded terminals, there was probably a problem before you got it, the customer just didn't put a drain on the battery like you did. The battery charger might be a good idea, just remember to go around the back side of the vehicle instead of the front so the cord isn't a hassle.
 
I like the charger idea, it shows the customer that you are being proactive instead of reactive.
 
vet said:
It would be embarassing to have the customer end up with a dead battery, but with corroded terminals, there was probably a problem before you got it, the customer just didn't put a drain on the battery like you did. The battery charger might be a good idea, just remember to go around the back side of the vehicle instead of the front so the cord isn't a hassle.
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I don't get embarrassed by this... If it happens I just jump the vehicle and let it run for a few min then shut it off and see if it will start again (always does)...

I don't need a charger as I have the jump box and the jump box has never failed me... One less hassle to worry about when it comes down to working on the cars... One less trip hazard... One less thing to buy... That's my theory...
 
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