I would suspect the battery as being bad from your symptoms.
Though you did not mention if the car would start again if you shut it
off or if it only goes dead after sitting for a while. If it goes dead
after sitting for a while you may have a power drain somewhere and can
try disconnecting the battery when you park to make sure this is not
happening.
The next plan of attack depends on whether you have an alternator or
generator in your car. If it's an alternator and you have access to a
voltmeter test the battery voltage. If its around 12.4 or better, try
cranking the car the voltage should not drop below 9.0 volts, if it does
your battery is probably shot. If the voltage is less than 12.4 jumper
it to your other car and let it run for about 15 minutes, disconnect
from the other car and measure voltage again. If the voltage has not
increased you need a new battery. While the car is running you should
see a voltage of over 13 at the battery this shows that your charging
circuit is at least working.
If its a generator all the tests are the same but there is also a
voltage regulator to worry about (built in on an alternator).
Peter,
'59 Bugeye
'71 Midget
'70 MGB
>From: Philip Hubbard <phubbard@carroll.com>
>Reply-To: Philip Hubbard <phubbard@carroll.com>
>
>Listers,
>
>Again, you have saved my bacon. I finally got the opportunity to try
to
>jump start my Midget with the supposedly bad starter (my diagnosis).
>Hooked it up to our Honda Civic and she zoomed to life on the first
turn of
>the key. Starter yelling out, "Told ya it t'weren't me!" at the top of
its
>lungs.
>
>So this brings up a second issue. I've got another problem somewhere.
I
>drove this car for about 2 hours straight on the highway last Saturday
and
>I still have no juice in the battery. This means:
>
>A. The alternator isn't working correctly to charge the battery.
>B. The battery is bad.
>C. Something I don't know about.
>
>Chances are that its C, but here's what I know.
>
>No corrosion of battery terminals
>Electrolyte =levels= are good (but maybe weak - don't know)
>Good connection to battery terminals and to ground on car
>Drive belt seems ok
>
>Now I know I could try to charge it with a battery charger to see if it
>will hold a charge, but I don't own one or have any neighbors with one.
My
>neighbors are not the fix it yourself types. I'd hate to buy a charger
to
>test it when I could put the money toward a new battery. If that ran
down
>I could plunk for a charger.
>
>I have no idea of the age of the battery - none of the little date
thingies
>are punched out. I do know that it is an Interstate brand.
>
>Any further suggestions? You've all already saved me the cost of a
starter
>so far and much thanks for that!
>
>Philip
>
>
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